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

Investigators said the circumstances of the death are considered suspicious. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025

However, Millie is unsettled by their odd neighbors, Suzette and Jonathan Lowell, along with the Lowells' suspicious maid, Martha. —Katie Mannion, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

The person approached police shortly after and identified himself as John, a Reddit user who posted a tip about a suspicious vehicle that helped authorities crack the case. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

The person – identified in a police affidavit as John – followed Neves Valente because of his suspicious behavior. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025

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