Distrust
/dɪsˈtrʌst/
Definitions
2 meaningsA feeling of not being able to trust someone or something; lack of confidence.
/dɪsˈtrʌst/
Lack of confidence in someone or something
The public's distrust of the media is growing.
💡 Simply: It's like when you don't believe someone or something is being honest. Like, you might distrust a politician if they keep changing their promises. Or, if your friend keeps cancelling plans, you might start to distrust them.
👶 For kids: When you feel like you can't believe someone or something.
More Examples
His distrust of strangers made it difficult for him to form new relationships.
A deep-seated distrust prevented them from collaborating.
How It's Used
"The patient's distrust of authority figures stemmed from a difficult childhood."
"Investor distrust in the market caused a sharp decline in stock prices."
To have no trust in someone or something; to regard with suspicion.
/dɪsˈtrʌst/
To have no confidence in someone or something
She began to distrust her neighbor after a series of thefts.
💡 Simply: To not believe someone or something. For instance, if a company makes a lot of promises they can't keep, people will distrust them.
👶 For kids: To not believe someone or something.
More Examples
I distrust any politician who promises too much.
He distrusts the information on unreliable websites.
How It's Used
"The electorate distrusted the politician's motives after the scandal."
"She began to distrust his promises because he often broke them."
Idioms & expressions
lack of trust
The absence of confidence or reliance on someone or something.
"The company's lack of trust in its employees led to poor morale."
to sow distrust
To cause or create feelings of distrust among people.
"The rumors were meant to sow distrust among the members of the team."
From Old English *distrūst, from dis- (prefix meaning 'not') + trust.
The word 'distrust' has been used in English since the 14th century, evolving from the combination of 'dis' and 'trust'.
Memory tip
Think of a *dis*connected trust; you don't trust someone because something is *dis*connected.