Have you ever shared a secret, only to hear it later from someone else? That feeling hurts. It usually means the person was untrustworthy.
For example, when a friend promises to help but never shows up, that friend is untrustworthy.
In very simple words, untrustworthy means someone you cannot trust.
Learning synonyms for untrustworthy helps you explain this idea in many ways. This is useful for students, bloggers, content writers, and daily English users. It makes your writing clearer and more powerful.
1. Dishonest
Meaning: Someone who does not tell the truth.
Examples:
- He was dishonest about the money.
- She gave a dishonest answer.
2. Deceitful
Meaning: Someone who tricks others.
Examples:
- The seller was deceitful.
- He used deceitful words.
3. Lying
Meaning: Someone who tells lies.
Examples:
- Stop lying to your parents.
- He kept lying at work.
4. Fake
Meaning: Not real or honest.
Examples:
- Her smile felt fake.
- That profile looks fake.
5. Shady
Meaning: Someone who feels unsafe or strange.
Examples:
- That deal sounds shady.
- He met a shady man.
6. Sneaky
Meaning: Doing bad things quietly.
Examples:
- The sneaky kid hid the toy.
- She made a sneaky move.
7. Two-Faced
Meaning: Nice in front, bad behind.
Examples:
- He is two-faced at work.
- She acts two-faced.
8. Unreliable
Meaning: Someone who cannot be counted on.
Examples:
- He is unreliable with time.
- Her help is unreliable.
9. False
Meaning: Not true or honest.
Examples:
- That story is false.
- He made false claims.
10. Crooked
Meaning: Someone who breaks rules.
Examples:
- The crooked boss cheated.
- He runs a crooked shop.
11. Tricky
Meaning: Hard to trust or understand.
Examples:
- That question is tricky.
- He gave a tricky reply.
12. Backstabbing
Meaning: Hurting someone secretly.
Examples:
- Backstabbing hurts friendships.
- He did backstabbing at work.
13. Shifty
Meaning: Acting in a strange way.
Examples:
- He looked shifty.
- She gave shifty answers.
14. Fraudulent
Meaning: Based on lies or cheating.
Examples:
- The site was fraudulent.
- He ran a fraudulent scheme.
15. Deceptive
Meaning: Made to fool people.
Examples:
- That ad is deceptive.
- He used deceptive tactics.
16. Slippery
Meaning: Hard to trust or catch.
Examples:
- He gave slippery replies.
- The deal feels slippery.
17. Fishy
Meaning: Seems wrong or strange.
Examples:
- This offer feels fishy.
- Something smells fishy.
18. Dubious
Meaning: Hard to believe.
Examples:
- His story is dubious.
- She made dubious claims.
19. Crafty
Meaning: Smart in a bad way.
Examples:
- The crafty fox escaped.
- He made a crafty plan.
20. Underhanded
Meaning: Done in a secret bad way.
Examples:
- That was underhanded work.
- He used underhanded tricks.
21. Corrupt
Meaning: Doing wrong for money or power.
Examples:
- The official was corrupt.
- Corrupt leaders hurt people.
22. Misleading
Meaning: Gives wrong ideas.
Examples:
- The sign was misleading.
- His words were misleading.
23. Treacherous
Meaning: Likely to betray.
Examples:
- It was a treacherous move.
- He chose a treacherous path.
24. Double-Dealing
Meaning: Cheating both sides.
Examples:
- Double-dealing ruins trust.
- He tried double-dealing.
25. Cagey
Meaning: Not open or honest.
Examples:
- She was cagey today.
- He gave cagey replies.
26. Manipulative
Meaning: Controls others unfairly.
Examples:
- He is manipulative.
- She used manipulative words.
27. Phony
Meaning: Pretending to be real.
Examples:
- That smile is phony.
- He acted phony.
28. Unfaithful
Meaning: Not loyal.
Examples:
- He was unfaithful.
- Unfaithful friends hurt.
29. Sketchy
Meaning: Looks unsafe or wrong.
Examples:
- That street feels sketchy.
- The deal is sketchy.
30. Disloyal
Meaning: Does not stay true.
Examples:
- Disloyal workers quit fast.
- He felt disloyal.
31. Insincere
Meaning: Not real in feelings.
Examples:
- Her apology was insincere.
- He gave insincere praise.
32. Questionable
Meaning: Hard to trust.
Examples:
- His past is questionable.
- That plan seems questionable.
33. Sneering
Meaning: Mean and fake polite.
Examples:
- He gave a sneering smile.
- She used sneering words.
34. Backhanded
Meaning: Looks kind but is not.
Examples:
- That was backhanded praise.
- He made a backhanded joke.
35. Cagey-Minded
Meaning: Always hiding truth.
Examples:
- He stays cagey-minded.
- She acts cagey-minded.
36. Sly
Meaning: Clever in a bad way.
Examples:
- The sly cat ran off.
- He made a sly move.
37. Scheming
Meaning: Planning bad actions.
Examples:
- She is scheming again.
- He had scheming eyes.
38. Betraying
Meaning: Breaking trust.
Examples:
- Betraying friends hurts.
- He felt betrayed.
39. Devious
Meaning: Uses sneaky plans.
Examples:
- He had devious ideas.
- She took devious paths.
40. Cagey Acting
Meaning: Acting secretive.
Examples:
- He showed cagey acting.
- Her cagey acting worried me.
41. Slimey
Meaning: Dirty in behavior.
Examples:
- That slimey guy lied.
- Slimey deals fail.
42. Sneakish
Meaning: Likes hiding actions.
Examples:
- He behaves sneakish.
- She made sneakish plans.
43. Dodgy
Meaning: Seems unsafe.
Examples:
- That shop is dodgy.
- He gave dodgy advice.
44. Fickle
Meaning: Changes loyalty fast.
Examples:
- Fickle friends leave early.
- He is fickle.
45. Two-Timing
Meaning: Cheating on trust.
Examples:
- Two-timing breaks hearts.
- He got caught two-timing.
46. Secretive
Meaning: Hides things often.
Examples:
- She is secretive.
- He stays secretive.
47. Bad-Faith
Meaning: Not honest in action.
Examples:
- He acted in bad-faith.
- Bad-faith deals fail.
48. Deceiving
Meaning: Making others believe lies.
Examples:
- He was deceiving clients.
- Deceiving hurts trust.
49. Slippery-Tongued
Meaning: Talks in tricky ways.
Examples:
- He is slippery-tongued.
- Slippery-tongued sellers lie.
50. Trust-Breaking
Meaning: Causing loss of trust.
Examples:
- His words were trust-breaking.
- Trust-breaking actions hurt.
CONCLUSION
Learning synonyms improves your writing, blogging, speaking, and daily communication. These synonyms for untrustworthy help you describe people and situations clearly. Try using them in emails, essays, and everyday talks. Practice a few words daily, and your English will grow stronger and sharper. Keep learning and keep improving.
