“Distrust” vs. “Mistrust”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “distrust” and “mistrust”

  • "distrust" and "mistrust" have similar meanings and are often used interchangeably to describe a lack of trust or suspicion towards someone or something.
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What is the definition of “distrust” and “mistrust”?

Distrust
  • Distrust is a feeling of doubt about someone's honesty or intentions.
  • It can be caused by past experiences or a lack of confidence in the person.
  • Distrust can often lead to a breakdown in relationships and communication.
Mistrust
  • Mistrust is a lack of trust or confidence in something or someone.
  • It can stem from suspicion or unease about a person or situation.
  • Mistrust can also result in a negative attitude or skepticism towards a particular person or thing.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Distrust” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Distrust
49,600,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I distrust politicians who make promises they can't keep.
  2. The customer's dissatisfaction caused her to distrust the company's product.
  3. His constant lying causes me to distrust everything he says.
Mistrust
22,300,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The new employee's furtive behavior made me mistrust him.
  2. After being cheated on, she developed a deep mistrust of men.
  3. The coach's lack of transparency led to the team's mistrust of him.
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