distrust
gb/dɪstɹˈʌst/ us/dɪstɹˈʌst/
B2
English
~ 6200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
a feeling of not trusting
A feeling that you cannot trust someone or something.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s distrust of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"distrust in"* (e.g., *"their distrust in the government"*). In most cases, native speakers prefer **"distrust of"** or **"distrust toward"**. Another mistake is confusing the noun **"distrust"** with the adjective **"distrustful";** use *"distrust"* for the feeling or situation, and *"distrustful"* to describe a person.
Synonyms
mistrust (Almost the same meaning; very close everyday substitute, slightly more common in speech.)
|
suspicion (Focuses more on the idea that someone may be guilty or hiding something, not just general lack of trust.)
Antonyms
trust (Direct opposite; a belief that someone or something is honest, safe, or reliable.)
|
confidence (Emphasizes a strong, positive belief in someone's ability or honesty, the opposite of doubt or distrust.)
Collocations
deep distrust
|public distrust
|mutual distrust
|a climate of distrust
|breed distrust
|distrust of authority
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There is growing public distrust of the government after the scandal.
- Years of broken promises have created deep distrust between the two communities.
- A climate of distrust in the workplace made people afraid to share their ideas.
- Her clear distrust of strangers made it hard for her to make new friends.
- Mutual distrust eventually destroyed the partnership.
Learner examples
- There is a lot of distrust of the media.
- His lies caused great distrust in the team.
- Distrust of the police is common in that area.
- Old conflicts still create distrust between the two groups.
- The company wants to reduce distrust among workers.
Verb
B2
action
2
to not trust someone or something
To not trust someone or something.
Usage pattern:
[someone] distrusts [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"don’t trust"* when **"distrust"** would be more natural and stronger, especially for a general attitude (e.g., *"Many people distrust politicians"* rather than *"don’t trust politicians"*). Also, avoid adding an extra preposition: say **"distrust him"**, not *"distrust in him"*.
Synonyms
mistrust (Direct everyday synonym; slightly more frequent than "distrust" in speech.)
|
doubt (Focuses more on not being sure something is true, while "distrust" focuses on not believing someone is honest or safe.)
|
be wary of (Adds the idea of being careful and on guard, not just lacking trust.)
Antonyms
trust (Direct opposite; to believe that someone is honest and reliable.)
|
rely on (Opposite in context of depending on someone with confidence.)
Collocations
distrust authority
|distrust the government
|learn to distrust
|come to distrust
|instinctively distrust
|tend to distrust
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many citizens distrust the police after years of corruption.
- She has been lied to so often that she now distrusts almost everyone.
- Investors began to distrust the company’s promises when profits fell again.
- Children may come to distrust adults if their concerns are ignored.
- He instinctively distrusts large institutions and prefers to work independently.
Learner examples
- People sometimes distrust the news they read online.
- After the mistake, customers started to distrust the brand.
- I distrust him because he hid important information.
- She learned to distrust people who talk too much about money.
- They distrust the plan and want more details.
Grammar
Dictionary form
distrust
IPA
GB/dɪstɹˈʌst/
US/dɪstɹˈʌst/
Syllables & stress
dis - trust (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (trust)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: distrust
- Plural: distrust
Verb
- Base: distrust
- 3rd Person Singular: distrusts
- Present Participle: distrusting
- Past: distrusted
Word family
Forms
distrusts
verb
distrusting
verb
distrusted
verb
Core family
trust
noun A2
distrustful
adjective
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
untrustworthy
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
a climate of distrust
1/ə klˈaɪmɪt əv dɪstɹˈʌst/
fixed phrase
a general atmosphere of distrust
A situation where many people in a group or place do not trust each other or do not trust important people or organizations.
Examples
- A climate of distrust has developed between the public and the police.
- The company is trying to change the climate of distrust in its offices after the layoffs.
breed distrust
1/bɹˈid dɪstɹˈʌst/
fixed phrase
to cause people to distrust
To make people slowly start to not trust someone or something.
Examples
- Lack of clear communication can breed distrust in a team.
- Secret meetings between managers only bred distrust among the staff.
deep distrust of
1/dˈip dɪstɹˈʌst əv/
fixed phrase
very strong lack of trust
A very strong feeling that you cannot trust someone or something.
Examples
- There is deep distrust of foreign companies in that region.
- Her deep distrust of social media comes from past bad experiences.
mutual distrust
1/mjˈut͡ʃuəl dɪstɹˈʌst/
fixed phrase
distrust on both sides
A situation where each side does not trust the other side.
Examples
- Negotiations failed because of mutual distrust between the two countries.
- Years of competition created mutual distrust between the companies.