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

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

Etymology

Origin of suspicious

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

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

Suspicious at first, they soon rejoice: Matteo’s getting married!

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Suspicious, he contacted a friend already working in the Emirates, who warned him he would likely end up in Sudan.

From Barron's • Dec. 21, 2025

On Nov. 18, there were multiple reports of drones operating at night made through the New Jersey Suspicious Activity Report System, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

Suspicious features included profile pictures showing K-pop stars, cats and models, rather than real people.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2024

Evidence Against Him or Suspicious Circumstances: None, except that weapon used might be said to suit his temperament.

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

Related Words

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