suspicious

American  

[suh-spish-uhs] / səˈspɪʃ əs /

adjective

1. 

   tending to cause or excite suspicion; questionable.

   suspicious behavior.

   Synonyms:

   doubtful, dubious, suspect

2. inclined to suspect, especially inclined to suspect evil; distrustful.

   a suspicious tyrant.

   Synonyms:

   wary, mistrustful

3. full of or feeling suspicion.

4. expressing or indicating suspicion.

   a suspicious glance.

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suspicious British  

/ səˈspɪʃəs /

adjective

1. exciting or liable to excite suspicion; questionable

2. disposed to suspect something wrong

3. indicative or expressive of suspicion

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Usage

What does suspicious mean? To be suspicious is to have a suspicion about someone or something, especially to have a feeling of distrust about the person or thing. To be suspicious of someone most often involves suspecting that they are engaged in some wrongdoing, as in My parents became suspicious of me when I kept asking whether they’d be home tomorrow. The word is commonly used to describe a person who is suspicious of someone or something in a specific situation. Sometimes, though, it’s used to describe a person who’s suspicious in general—meaning that they’re generally skeptical or distrustful. It can also be used to describe something, such as an action, that indicates that a person is suspicious, as in She gave me a suspicious look that meant she knew I was up to something. Suspicious can also be used to describe someone or something that causes suspicion, as in The guards are trained to identify suspicious people, suspicious behavior, and suspicious packages. Being suspicious is usually based on something, such as a hunch or some kind of evidence, but the word is typically used in situations in which there is some doubt—when someone suspects something, but isn’t sure. The same thing is implied by the verb suspect and the noun suspicion. Suspicious is most commonly used in negative contexts, but this isn’t always the case. For example, you might be suspicious that someone is planning a surprise party for you. Example: Police are encouraging citizens to alert the authorities if they see any suspicious activity on the subway.

Other Word Forms

• hypersuspiciousness
  noun
• oversuspiciousness
  noun
• presuspiciousness
  noun
• supersuspiciousness
  noun
• suspiciousness
  noun
• unsuspiciousness
  noun
• hypersuspicious
  adjective
• oversuspicious
  adjective
• presuspicious
  adjective
• self-suspicious
  adjective
• supersuspicious
  adjective
• unsuspicious
  adjective
• hypersuspiciously
  adverb
• oversuspiciously
  adverb
• presuspiciously
  adverb
• supersuspiciously
  adverb
• suspiciously
  adverb
• unsuspiciously
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of suspicious

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin suspīciōsus, from suspīci(ō) “mistrust” ( see suspicion) + -ōsus -ous

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Explanation

Suspicious behavior inspires distrust. Prancing around your backyard in a trench coat and fake mustache during daylight might elicit weird looks from your neighbors; do it at night, though, so that your silhouette glides past their windows, and what appeared innocent enough hours before will quickly transition to suspicious. Use this adjective to describe a behavior or event that arouses doubt or mistrust. How to avoid appearing suspicious? Well, for one, stop pausing mid-conversation to take covert notes in that little journal of yours. And two, don’t wear sunglasses indoors, and don’t try to walk without making a sound. That will make people cagey, which is a synonym for suspicious. Other synonyms include apprehensive, doubtful, wary, and watchful.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

suspicious

However, many in Hollywood, its unions, and the public at large are suspicious of the surge in AI use, worried it is stealing the work of human creatives and taking people’s jobs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

Authorities are investigating a series of letters containing suspicious substances sent to congressional and election offices in several states, US media reported.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

However, several states reported suspicious mailings earlier this week.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Federal authorities say they are investigating "potentially hazardous" letters containing "suspicious substances" that have been sent to congressional and state election offices around the US.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

Perhaps it was my intuition that kept me away, the suspicious nature I’d developed since our journey in Mexico.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

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Related Words

• apprehensive
• careful
• cautious
• doubtful
• incredulous
• jealous
• leery
• mistrustful
• skeptical
• wary
• watchful

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