Mistrusted

Mistrusted is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'mistrust,' which means to have doubt about the honesty, reliability, or ability of someone or something; to lack confidence in or to suspect. It implies a feeling of caution or suspicion regarding the integrity or intentions of a person, organization, or thing. The degree of mistrust can range from mild skepticism to deep suspicion, often leading to a reluctance to rely on or confide in the subject of mistrust. It involves an assessment of trustworthiness based on past experiences, observed behaviors, or perceived motives. Essentially, it represents the absence of trust and a cautious approach.

Mistrusted meaning with examples

• After the scandal, the public deeply mistrusted the corporation's claims of environmental responsibility, believing their statements were self-serving and deceptive. Their past actions, which included covering up toxic spills, had significantly eroded the public's faith.
• The detective, having seen the suspect's previous inconsistencies, mistrusted his alibi, painstakingly gathering evidence to prove it was fabricated, leading to the eventual revelation of the crime.
• The villagers, following years of broken promises, mistrusted the politician's pledges for economic reform, opting to remain skeptical about his commitment to following through on such promises.
• Having witnessed several failures, the team's lead developer mistrusted the new project management software, fearing that it would be ineffective and ultimately complicate the workflow further in the project.
• She mistrusted her own intuition after making a costly business decision, feeling a pang of doubt every time a new opportunity presented itself.