87: Distrust versus Mistrust Mar 5, 2015

'Distrust' and 'mistrust' are roughly the same. Both act as a noun and a verb to mean "a lack of trust" or "to regard without trust". Yet, these words are not synonymous. Generally, 'distrust' is created from experience or reliable information, whereas 'mistrust' will be used to express a sense of uneasiness toward someone or something. For example, you might distrust someone you have been lied to by before, and you might mistrust something said by a stranger. However, most people use them interchangeably.