suspicious

adjective

sə-ˈspi-shəs How to pronounce suspicious (audio)
Definition of suspiciousnext
1
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged suspicious claims of being the rightful owner of the property

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims suspicious of any menu dish having a name she can't pronounce

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something you should be very suspicious of those telephone calls from people telling you that you're the winner of a contest you never entered

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of suspicious Be more suspicious when the prompt appears right after installing unrelated software or joining an online meeting. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026 Final thoughts Thankfully, my trip passed without a single suspicious notification. — Bridget Mills-Powell, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026 The first big development in the case came a week later, on July 14, when the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was notified about a suspicious vehicle parked near several rental properties in the area of Stinar and Rivendell roads in Orondo. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 The department also encourages landowners to look for trash on their properties and watch for suspicious logging business practices. — Chloe Bennett-Steele, StateImpact, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspicious
  1. questionable
  2. skeptical
  3. unsure
  4. dubious
  5. cautious
  6. uncertain
  7. disputable
  8. careful
Adjective
  • There have also been controversial VAR calls, like the questionable foul that led to an Egyptian goal against Argentina being annulled.
    — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 20 July 2026
  • Paying the price of a luxury car for a giant silicone doll that needs to be recharged every two to four hours seems like a questionable choice.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 July 2026
Definition of questionable
Adjective
  • Why alums are skeptical Queens name will stay In recent months, however, Carmack said the merger has felt more like an acquisition.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
  • Conservative politicians and others skeptical of the nation’s covid response have had Munster and Rocky Mountain Labs on their radar for years.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • Funding fights, shifting eligibility rules and abrupt program cuts have played out simultaneously at the federal level, leaving many organizations unsure what the ground will look like from one quarter to the next.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • At a time when many of their peers are unsure of what's next, the students are happy their skills are in demand.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 21 July 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • And finally, its quarterfinal against Switzerland turned on its head after a dubious decision left its opponent with 10-men at a time where the South Americans were struggling.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Homer’s character, notorious as a schemer, here comes off as plain and direct—a gruff, practical tactician, rather than something more energetically inventive and morally dubious.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
Definition of dubious
Adjective
  • At a time when global fashion is navigating economic uncertainty, shifting supply chains and cautious consumer spending, one country is making an unmistakably confident statement.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Those with underlying health conditions like asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or who are pregnant need to be extra cautious about breathing in wildfire smoke.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • From premium pet food to medical care Whether GLP-1 drugs eventually become commonplace in veterinary medicine remains uncertain.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • The young Brits' last year in secondary school finds Charlie starting a pride club, Nick worrying about an uncertain future, and both considering the impact of long-distance love.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • However, disputable refereeing decisions, especially in the matches against Italy and Spain, led to allegations that South Korea may have benefited from favorable officiating.
    — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
  • Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.
    — Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of disputable
Adjective
  • After careful physical analysis of six ancient princesses buried beneath the pyramids at Dahshur, researchers now have an answer.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of careful

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suspicions
suspicious
suspiciously
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Cite this Entry

“Suspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspicious. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of suspicious for Spanish Speakers

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