mistrustful

Wary of intentions

Mistrustful describes someone who lacks trust or confidence in others, often suspecting dishonesty or bad intentions.

A mistrustful person tends to be wary and skeptical, doubting the reliability or sincerity of people and their motives.

After being cheated by the contractor, she became mistrustful of anyone offering home repairs.

The word suggests an ongoing disposition rather than a momentary feeling, distinguishing it from the more situational suspicious.

doubtful

skeptical

Inclined to question claims

questioning · uncertain · unconvinced · distrustful · cynical · leery · misgiving · apprehensive · hesitant · unbelieving

paranoid

suspicious

Inclined to distrust

persecuted · irrational · obsessive · distrustful · insecure · phobic · neurotic · overwrought · unhinged

guarded

cautious

Careful to avoid risk

watchful · chary · careful · alert · prudent · defensive · reserved · protective · cagey · on-guard

Categories
Opposites
trust and belief in others

mistrustfultrusting

Inclined to believe others

trustful · credulous · gullible · unsuspecting · unsuspicious

worldly wariness

mistrustfulnaive

Innocently unsuspecting

naïve · innocent · gullible · ingenuous · unsophisticated

Family

mistrustfully, mistrustfulness

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G