French word

méfiance

Pronunciation

IPA/mefjɑ̃s/

Meaning

  • feminine noundistrust

Example

Je te regarde avec méfiance.

I look at you with distrust.

Illustration for méfiance (distrust)

More examples

Ils ont accueilli la proposition avec méfiance.

They received the proposal with distrust.

Core concept

A guarded person watches others from behind an inner barrier before allowing trust.

Common phrases

  • faire preuve de méfiance

    show distrust

  • avoir de la méfiance envers

    distrust ___

  • susciter la méfiance

    arouse distrust

Similar words

soupçon: A specific suspicion that someone or something may have done something wrong.
doute: Uncertainty about whether something is true or reliable.
défiance: Distrust that creates distance, vigilance, and possible resistance.
réserve: A restrained attitude that holds back feelings or opinions.

Definition in French

Disposition à ne pas faire confiance immédiatement, mêlant doute et prudence envers autrui.

Word origin

Méfiance is formed from méfier with the suffix -ance; méfier comes from Old French mesfier, combining mes- with fier, from Latin fidere, 'to trust'.

Usage tips

  • Méfiance is feminine, as in la méfiance, and the related verb se méfier takes de, as in se méfier de quelqu'un.

Other meanings

  • suspicionnoun
  • cautionnoun
  • warinessnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • méfiantwaryadjective

Word lists with this word