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 of suspicious

• questionable
• dubious
• disputable
• suspect
• doubtful
• problematic
• debatable

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

In addition to the suspicious circumstantial evidence, police also found a screenshot of mushrooms. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office launched a suspicious death investigation after responding to a house fire in Grand Haven Township and discovering multiple fatalities. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026

But some members of Juliana’s family question that, and outside experts interviewed by the Observer have described what’s known about the case publicly as suspicious or unusual. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the suspicious death of a 66-year-old woman after she was taken to a local hospital with injuries that appeared inconsistent with a natural death, the agency announced Friday. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for suspicious

• adventitious
• cementitious
• expeditious
• inauspicious
• injudicious
• meretricious
• repetitious
• superstitious
• surreptitious
• unambitious
• unpropitious
• unsuspicious

Kids 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