Untrustful

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Being inclined to doubt the honesty or reliability of other people and to withhold faith in them
2. Marked by a lack of trust toward others, so that one remains guarded and suspicious of their motives
3. Showing a habit of distrust, viewing those around you with doubt rather than confidence

Etymology: "Untrustful" is simply the English prefix "un-", meaning "not", attached to "trustful," which describes someone inclined to trust others. Put together, the word describes a person who holds back faith in others and doubts their honesty or reliability. It is a transparent formation, built from familiar parts rather than borrowed from another language. The more interesting question is why English speakers would reach for this particular construction. "Trustful" itself is an older, plainer adjective for someone who readily trusts, and it is the more common of the pair. Negating it with "un-" produces a word that sits beside "untrusting" and "distrustful," which mean much the same thing. The choice among them is largely a matter of style and rhythm rather than any difference in sense.

Synonyms: distrustful, untrusting, suspicious

Antonyms: trustful, trusting