Distrustful refers to a state of being suspicious, lacking confidence, or having doubts about someone or something. A distrustful person is hesitant to believe others due to past experiences, fear of deception, or skepticism about intentions. Distrust can occur in relationships, business, politics, or any situation where trust is essential. In Indonesian, “distrustful” can be translated as “curiga,” “tidak percaya,” or “skeptis.”
Synonyms of “Distrustful”:
- Suspicious (curiga)
- Skeptical (skeptis)
- Wary (waspada)
- Doubtful (ragu-ragu)
- Mistrustful (tidak percaya)
- Unconvinced (tidak yakin)
- Cautious (berhati-hati)
- Apprehensive (cemas/takut akan sesuatu)
- Cynical (sinis terhadap niat seseorang)
- Guarded (tidak mudah percaya)
Example Sentences Using “Distrustful”:
- She became distrustful of people after being betrayed.
- His distrustful nature made it hard for him to form close relationships.
- The villagers were distrustful of strangers entering their town.
- She gave him a distrustful look, unsure of his true intentions.
- Many people are distrustful of politicians due to broken promises.
- His past experiences made him distrustful of financial deals.
- The detective remained distrustful of the suspect’s alibi.
- Being too distrustful can prevent meaningful friendships.
- The company’s dishonest practices made customers distrustful of its products.
- He was distrustful of new technology, preferring traditional methods.
Related Words:
- Insecurity (ketidakamanan)
- Paranoia (paranoia/kecurigaan berlebihan)
- Wariness (kewaspadaan)
- Reluctance (keengganan)
- Hesitation (keraguan)
- Prejudice (prasangka)
- Doubt (keraguan)
- Fearfulness (ketakutan)
- Cynicism (kesinisan)
Antonyms of “Distrustful”:
- Trusting (percaya)
- Confident (percaya diri)
- Open (terbuka)
- Optimistic (optimis)
- Faithful (penuh keyakinan)
- Gullible (mudah percaya)
- Hopeful (penuh harapan)
- Secure (merasa aman)
- Accepting (menerima tanpa ragu)
- Believing (percaya sepenuh hati)
Phrasal Verbs Related to “Distrustful”:
- Be wary of – To be cautious and distrustful (“She was wary of making new friends after being betrayed.”)
- Look out for – To be careful about potential threats (“You should look out for scams when shopping online.”)
- Keep an eye on – To monitor something suspicious (“He kept an eye on his coworker, feeling distrustful of his actions.”)
- Have second thoughts about – To reconsider trust in something (“I had second thoughts about lending him money.”)
- Hold back from – To hesitate due to distrust (“He held back from investing in the company due to past fraud cases.”)
Idiomatic Expressions Related to “Distrustful”:
- “Once bitten, twice shy” – Someone who has been deceived before is more distrustful.
- “A wolf in sheep’s clothing” – Someone who appears harmless but has bad intentions.
- “Too good to be true” – Something that seems suspiciously perfect.
- “Look before you leap” – Be cautious before making decisions.
- “Take it with a grain of salt” – Do not fully believe something without proof.
How to Overcome Distrustfulness
If you struggle with distrustfulness, here are ways to manage it:
- Identify the cause – Understand why you feel distrustful.
- Communicate openly – Express your concerns instead of assuming the worst.
- Give people a chance – Not everyone has bad intentions.
- Seek evidence before judging – Avoid making conclusions without proof.
- Balance caution with openness – Being careful is good, but excessive distrust can harm relationships.
Conclusion
Distrustful describes a lack of confidence in others due to suspicion, doubt, or past experiences. While some level of caution is wise, excessive distrust can lead to isolation, missed opportunities, and strained relationships. Finding a balance between trust and skepticism helps create healthy interactions and better decision-making.
