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 promises after he had let her down before. [distrustful: adjective]
Example
The company's financial records were found to be inaccurate, leading to a distrustful relationship between the employees and management. [distrustful: adjective]
suspicious
Example
The police were suspicious of his alibi and decided to investigate further. [suspicious: adjective]
Example
She felt suspicious of the stranger who kept following her on the street. [suspicious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suspicious is more commonly used than distrustful in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between distrustful and suspicious?
Both distrustful and suspicious can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but distrustful may be considered slightly more formal due to its less frequent usage.
