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

Preliminary findings have not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, police said, according to WHNS. — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

State Highway 121 Around 21 minutes, Two Cups (James Jordan) and Randy (Austin Hébert) are driving Joe’s kids to school and have to take a detour after things get a little suspicious on the roadway. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2026

In Suisun City, the attack — and the lack of answers about what or who caused it — comes at a time when townsfolk already are primed to be suspicious. — Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Officers also noted that there didn’t appear to be any signs of foul play or a suspicious death. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 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