top definitions
quizzes
related content
examples
explore dictionary
british

mistrust

[ mis-truhst ]

/ mɪsˈtrʌst /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR mistrust ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

lack of trust or confidence; distrust.

verb (used with object)

to regard with mistrust, suspicion, or doubt; distrust.

to surmise.

verb (used without object)

to be distrustful.

VIDEO FOR MISTRUST

WATCH NOW: What's The Difference Between "Mistrust" And "Distrust"?

Did you know there was a difference between the words mistrust and distrust? Yea, we didn't either. Watch Emmy explain ...

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZZES

FOR POSTERITY’S SAKE, TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

Are words your bailiwick? Take the latest quiz on the words from July 6 to July 12 to find out.

Question 1 of 7

bailiwick

a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.

place or source of origin.

a person's area of skill, knowledge, authority, or work.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of mistrust

1350–1400; Middle English mistrusten (v.), mistrust (noun). See mis-¹, trust

OTHER WORDS FROM mistrust

mis·trust·er, nounmis·trust·ing·ly, adverbself-mis·trust, nounun·mis·trust·ed, adjective

un·mis·trust·ing, adjective

Words nearby mistrust

mistreat, mistress, mistress of ceremonies, mistress of the robes, mistrial, mistrust, mistrustful, mistryst, misty, misty-eyed, misunderstand

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for mistrust

As the Ebola epidemic began sweeping through the region, fear and mistrust of the health workers in West Point escalated.
Meet the Liberian Girls Beating Ebola|Abby Haglage|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those who neglect or mistrust him may be punished--indeed may deserve to be.
Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up|Tom Boswell|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A particularly worrisome indicator of this mistrust has been the booming alternative medicine industry.
Why Smart People Are Dumb Patients|Jean Kim|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those who need the health care system the most often mistrust it, and rightfully so.
The App-Based Health Care of the Future|Joshua Rivera|June 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Many of the girls from New Kru Town say they mistrust the police and for the most part want to avoid them.
Liberia’s Child Prostitutes|Clair MacDougall|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I shall not answer his letter for a week; I mistrust my own vivacity.
Munster Village|Mary Hamilton
Arthur, you please to hear that you have no right to mistrust your father, and have no ground to go upon.'
Little Dorrit|Charles Dickens
We can gain no lasting peace if we approach it with suspicion and mistrust or with fear.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches|Various
It was the one passion that was stronger than his mistrust of me.
Two on a Tower|Thomas Hardy
It is the happiness that I mistrust, not the holding of friendly hands and meeting of friendly lips.
The Admiral|Douglas Sladen

British Dictionary definitions for mistrust

mistrust

/ (ˌmɪsˈtrʌst) /

verb

to have doubts or suspicions about (someone or something)

noun

distrust

Derived forms of mistrust

mistruster, nounmistrustful, adjectivemistrustfully, adverbmistrustfulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

See The Synonym Of The Day