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

These services can alert you to suspicious activity tied to your Social Security number, credit file or identity details before real damage is done. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026

Fire investigators believe the fire is not suspicious and started in a third-floor bedroom. —Riley Rourke, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026

Nine-year-old Kylie comes in with a chin laceration after falling down the stairs, but not long after, Santos and Nurse Perlah find other bruising and suspicious past injuries. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

As such, checking your statements for any suspicious or unfamiliar charges is vital to stay on top of potential fraud. —Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 9 Jan. 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