noun

mistrust

mihs-TRUHST

noun

A lack of trust or confidence in someone or something.

"There's deep mistrust between the two companies."

verb

To have doubts about or lack confidence in someone or something.

"She mistrusts anyone who seems too friendly at first."

How to Use Mistrust

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA feeling of suspicion or doubt about someone's honesty or reliability.

Common mistake

Very close in meaning to "distrust"; mistrust often implies a milder, more instinctive wariness rather than firm disbelief.

Easily confused with

distrust →

Common pairings

deep mistrust mutual mistrust

Word Forms

mistrusted past tense, mistrusts plural, mistrust plural, mistrusted plural, mistrusts singular, mistrust singular, mistrusted singular, mistrustest singular, mistrustedst singular, mistrusteth singular

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Fill the Gap

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There's deep _____ between the two companies.

Etymology

From mis- ("wrongly") plus trust.

Synonyms

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distrust

Antonyms

trust

Related Words

believe trust distrust

Rhymes for mistrust

distrust

See all rhymes for mistrust →

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