mistrustfully
In doubting manner
In a manner showing suspicion or lack of trust.
Someone who eyes you mistrustfully doubts your intentions or honesty: She looked mistrustfully at the stranger's offer of help.
The word suggests wariness born of experience or instinct rather than outright hostility.
Sense of unease about motives
- doubtLack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
cynicism · skepticism · wariness · misgivings · qualms · reservation · dubiousness · uncertainty
Careful to avoid risk
- waryGuardedly alert
- vigilantKeenly aware of danger
- watchfulCarefully attentive, observant
- circumspectCarefully considering consequences
defensive · reserved · hesitant · apprehensive · chary · inhibited · restrained · uneasy
Irrational persecution fears
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- disloyaltyBreach of allegiance
spy · surveillance · scrutiny · eavesdrop · snoop · conspiratorial · accusatory · accusingly
suspicion
Sense of unease about motives
- doubtLack of firm belief
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
incredulity · cynicism · skepticism · wariness · misgivings · qualms · reservation · dubiousness · uncertainty · discredit
cautious
Careful to avoid risk
circumspect · defensive · reserved · hesitant · apprehensive · chary · inhibited · restrained · uneasy · tentative
paranoia
Irrational persecution fears
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- treacheryDeliberate violation of trust
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
disloyalty · spy · surveillance · scrutiny · eavesdrop · snoop · conspiratorial · accusatory · accusingly · searchingly
mistrustfullytrustfully
With open belief
trustingly · confidingly · unsuspectingly · credulously · naively