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

Further, according to a TSA spokesperson, packing food that looks suspicious on X-ray, like powders or dense snacks, often gets your bag flagged. —Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026

Officers searched the grounds and found nothing suspicious. —Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 23 May 2026

Confidential channels for the reporting of suspicious activities should also be established and made available to unit owners as well as association volunteers, staff and vendors. —Meily Perez, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026

Adapted from Richard Osman's best-selling novel of the same name, this lighthearted crime caper centers on four amateur sleuths living in a retirement community who look into a suspicious murder. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 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