Distrust of people, not to mention hate, is the root of human suffering.
Source: tatoeba (270160)
Distrust
/dɪsˈtɹʌst/
Synonyms for "distrust" (93 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (19)
Strong matches (28)
disbeliefdisbelievediscreditdisfavordisputedistrustfulnessdoubtdoubtfulnessdubietydubiousnessgreet with skepticismhalf believehalf-beliefharbor suspicionshave reservationshesitancyhesitationincredulity
Verb(2 words)
Noun(8 words)
discreditdisillusionmentdistrust of motivesdistrustfulnessdoubtdoubt the testimonydoubtsfrench défiance
Related words (46)
leerinessmisdoubtmisgivemisgivingmistrustmistrustfulnessphobiapyrrhonismqualmqueryquestionraise a questionscepticismscruplescrupulousnessself-doubtshadow of doubtskepticalnessskepticismsmell a rat
Show 11 more words
suspectsuspicionsuspiciousnesstake with a grain of saltthrow doubt upontotal skepticismtreat with reserveunbeliefunbelieveuncertaintywariness
Noun(11 words)
misgivingmistrustsredoubtsskepticismsuspectuncertaintyundermineundermining trustuntrustvery doubtfulwariness
Verb(2 words)
Adjective(2 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: mistrust, mistrust, suspicion, apprehension, awake a doubt.
- Sentence evidence is available for distrust, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "distrust".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "distrust"
Keep "distrust" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "distrust" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "distrust", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "distrust" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
19 entriesaffect judgmentsattitudebelievedisbelievediscreditdispositiondoubtdoubtfulnessdubietydubiousnessfeelingincertitudeinfluenceopinionrelationship dynamicsocial climate
Showing 16 of 19 words.
More specific
11 entriescynicismdisbeliefdoubtfamily distrustinstitutional distrustintergroup distrustmistrustfulnesspeer distrustskepticismsuspicionwariness
Collocations
11 entriesdistrust authoritydistrust between groupsdistrust in expertsdistrust of authoritydistrust the datadistrust the sourcedistrustful attitudeexpress distrustgeneral distrustshow distrustwidespread distrust
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesAntonyms
2 entriesSample sentences
12 total sentences available.
Distrust of the Social Insurance Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare just keeps getting stronger.
Source: tatoeba (327671)
Racism has its roots in the distrust and scorn for people who differ in their appearance and their culture.
Source: tatoeba (3416155)
Why do you distrust me?
Source: tatoeba (3737836)
Showing 4 of 12 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "distrust"?
Closest matches include mistrust, mistrust, suspicion, apprehension, awake a doubt.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "distrust"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.