Distrust vs. Mistrust

Distrust and mistrust are roughly the same. Both refer to (1) lack of trust, and (2) to regard without trust. But distrust is often based on experience or reliable information, while mistrust is often a general sense of unease toward someone or something. For example, you might distrust the advice of someone who has given you bad tips in the past, and you might mistrust advice from a stranger. This distinction is only a general tendency, though, and it is not always borne out in real-world usage.

e.g. Blocking the Internet, meanwhile, can increase fear and mistrust because it cuts off access to accurate information.

e.g. There’s plenty of reason why this community of ours – a wonderful community in many ways – should distrust the police.