What does untrustworthily mean?
Untrustworthily is an adverb meaning in an untrustworthy manner. It describes conduct or speech that makes someone doubt the truthfulness, reliability, or good intentions behind an action. A person may speak untrustworthily, act untrustworthily, or handle information untrustworthily. The word is especially associated with deception or inconsistency, although it can also suggest carelessness or a failure to meet reasonable standards of reliability. It is more formal and pointed than saying that someone behaved badly or gave unreliable answers. Untrustworthy is the corresponding adjective, while untrustworthiness is the noun. Although untrustworthily is less frequent than its adjective form, it is useful when the focus is on the manner in which something is done rather than on the character of the person doing it.
adverbIn an untrustworthy manner; in a way that causes others to lack confidence in the truthfulness, reliability, or good intentions of the person involved.
- In a manner that is untrustworthy; in a way that undermines confidence or suggests deception.
"The witness spoke untrustworthily, changing her account whenever the evidence contradicted her."
"The company handled the customer data untrustworthily, leaving sensitive information exposed."
"He answered untrustworthily, offering several different explanations for the missing money."
Untrustworthily is the adverb version of untrustworthy: it describes not just a questionable person, but the way that person acts.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does untrustworthily come from?
Untrustworthily is an English formation made by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective untrustworthy. Untrustworthy itself combines the prefix un- with trustworthy, which in turn is built from trust and the adjective worthy. The related word trustworthily expresses the opposite manner, and trust, trusty, and trustee come from the same broader English root.
Related word forms
How untrustworthily is actually used
Untrustworthily is less common than untrustworthy and generally describes conduct, speech, or the performance of a role. It carries a strong implication of deception, unreliability, or concealed motive.
Easily confused with untrustworthily
Untrustworthy is an adjective describing a person or thing, while untrustworthily is an adverb describing an action or manner.