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

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

For him, O’Neill is not overly dogmatic or politically compromised, and could be an effective director with the best intentions, who understands the necessity of trusting the scientific process.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

Another key concern for investors is whether Berkshire can right the ship under Abel, after they got so used to trusting Buffett with their money.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Warsh draws a parallel to Alan Greenspan’s decision in the late 1990s External link to let the economy run hot, trusting that productivity gains would keep inflation in check.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Another told the court he was a "very carefree 17-year-old" whose future had been "tarnished and altered irreversibly" by the "mistake" he made in trusting the older man.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

He wouldn’t let his brain do that; he wouldn’t stop trusting his own eyes.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix