Showing Results for "trusting"

See Also:

• present participle of trust.

trusting

American  

[truhs-ting] / ˈtrʌs tɪŋ /

adjective

1. inclined to trust; confiding; trustful.

   a trusting child.

   Synonyms:

   unwary, naive, innocent, unsuspicious

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• trustingness
  noun
• self-trusting
  adjective
• trustingly
  adverb
• nontrusting
  adjective
• untrusting
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of trusting

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; trust + -ing ²

Explanation

If you're trusting, you tend to believe what people tell you. A trusting friend will tell you her deepest secrets and trust that you'll keep them to yourself. Use the adjective trusting to describe people who always see the best in others. A trusting child believes everything you tell him and follows where you lead. A trusting dog will follow your commands and stick by your side. The verb trust means "to believe or have faith," and both words come from the Old Norse traust, "help or confidence," and are closely related to the Old English treowe, "have faith or confidence."

Example Sentences

Lawsuits by the trustee and investors also allege McClain’s lender, Rabo AgriFinance, was negligent in trusting McClain’s word that he had bought 87,000 cattle with its money.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

They’re less trusting of humans than Miguel, which is just fine with zoo managers: That’s normal capybara behavior.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

The absurdist’s power rests in their ability to befuddle and bewilder, trusting the joke will land with the right folks and insult their target’s intelligence.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

“We had a super trusting relationship with them,” Sayles says.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

So he lets her in on an important reason for trusting him this afternoon, just in case she needs another.

From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers