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

Be wary of prices that sound too good to be true, such as unusually low prices, high-pressure calls for action, unexpected transactions or suspicious requests for payment. — ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026

The circumstances surrounding the man’s death appeared suspicious, so detectives were called to the scene to conduct a homicide investigation. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026

Two officers that had responded from the Skokie Boulevard scene located a suspicious vehicle within blocks of Village Center. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

The series follows suspicious lovers who enlist former Basketball Wives and The Real World star Roman, Coach Ken Canion and a team of investigators to uncover shocking truths that could end relationships or redefine them altogether. — Peter White, Deadline, 12 Nov. 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