What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
distrustful
Example
She was distrustful of his motives and refused to work with him. [distrustful: adjective]
Example
He spoke in a distrustful tone, making it clear that he did not believe what was being said. [distrustful: adjective]
skeptical
Example
I am skeptical of his claims until I see some evidence to support them. [skeptical: adjective]
Example
She approached the new product launch with a skeptical eye, wanting to see if it lived up to its promises. [skeptical: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Skeptical is more commonly used than distrustful in everyday language. Skeptical is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while distrustful is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distrustful and skeptical?
Both distrustful and skeptical can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, skeptical is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels, while distrustful may be more associated with an informal or emotional tone.
