suspicious
adjective
sus·pi·cious
sə-ˈspi-shəs 
1
: tending to arouse suspicion : questionable
suspicious characters
2
: disposed to suspect : distrustful
suspicious of strangers
3
: expressing or indicative of suspicion
a suspicious glance
suspiciously
adverb
suspiciousness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of suspicious in a Sentence
We were instructed to report any suspicious activity in the neighborhood.
The suspicious vehicle was reported to police.
Suspicious characters were seen hanging around the bank.
He found a suspicious lump on his back and was afraid it might be cancer.
Officials are suspicious about her death.
His manner made me suspicious.
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts share signs of mail fraud scams Kuehl is the second reader to contact Public Investigator in the past year about receiving suspicious mail promising financial gains.
—
Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Weaknesses: Skeptical, insecure, magnify danger, suspicious, indecisive.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Jones, 27, became the prime suspect almost instantly; his suspicious movements, Google searches and a handwritten note would only deepen those suspicions.
—Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
He was alerted of suspicious militant activity hours before the attack but was not involved in ensuing deliberations that incorrectly determined the activity was likely a drill.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
The revelation in the bizarre murder case emerged April 16 after Homeland Security Investigations agents found a suspicious parcel being mailed from Puerto Rico, according to a federal criminal complaint.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
If card payment numbers were stolen, inform your bank or credit card company, explaining that your card is at risk of fraud and asking them to alert you of any suspicious activity.
—Kelvin Chan, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
Other telltale signs included shuttered windows and complaints from neighbors about pungent smells and suspicious vans coming and going.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024
The suspicious person identified by a sniper team was not the Abbey Gate bomber.
—Matt Seyler, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Weaknesses: Skeptical, insecure, magnify danger, suspicious, indecisive.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024
Jones, 27, became the prime suspect almost instantly; his suspicious movements, Google searches and a handwritten note would only deepen those suspicions.
—Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024
He was alerted of suspicious militant activity hours before the attack but was not involved in ensuing deliberations that incorrectly determined the activity was likely a drill.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
The revelation in the bizarre murder case emerged April 16 after Homeland Security Investigations agents found a suspicious parcel being mailed from Puerto Rico, according to a federal criminal complaint.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
If card payment numbers were stolen, inform your bank or credit card company, explaining that your card is at risk of fraud and asking them to alert you of any suspicious activity.
—Kelvin Chan, Quartz, 18 Apr. 2024
Other telltale signs included shuttered windows and complaints from neighbors about pungent smells and suspicious vans coming and going.
—Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024
The suspicious person identified by a sniper team was not the Abbey Gate bomber.
—Matt Seyler, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suspicious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to suspicious
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Cite this Entry
“Suspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspicious. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
suspicious
adjective
sus·pi·cious
sə-ˈspish-əs
1
: likely to arouse suspicion : questionable
suspicious behavior
2
: likely to suspect or distrust
suspicious of strangers
3
: showing suspicion
a suspicious glance
suspiciously
adverb
suspiciousness
noun
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