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

This seemed to color the investigation almost from the beginning, since Epstein’s death was never treated as suspicious. —Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area at that time, including those with home surveillance video, is asked to contact the Northbrook Police Department at 847-564-2060. —Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

Acting quickly after suspicious activity can help prevent attackers from gaining full control of your accounts. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026

Stay cautious when meeting people online—choose public places, trust your instincts, and report suspicious activity to 911. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Mar. 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