What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distrust
Example
I distrust politicians who make promises they can't keep. [distrust: verb]
Example
There is a sense of distrust among the employees towards the new management. [distrust: noun]
mistrust
Example
I mistrust him because he lied to me before. [mistrust: verb]
Example
The company's financial troubles have led to mistrust among its investors. [mistrust: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distrust is more commonly used than mistrust in everyday language, but both words are still used frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distrust and mistrust?
Both distrust and mistrust are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
