Suspicious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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suspicious

[səˈspɪʃəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something.

Synonyms

distrustful, dubious, skeptical.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suspicious	When you think someone or something might be dishonest or harmful. She was suspicious of the man standing at the corner. The police found his behavior suspicious.
distrustful	When you lack trust or confidence in someone or something. He became distrustful after being lied to several times. She is distrustful of politicians.
skeptical	When you have doubts about something and need convincing proof. She was skeptical of the new technology. He is always skeptical about miracle cures.
dubious	When something seems unlikely to be true or good. His dubious claim raised a lot of questions. The deal seemed too good to be true, and she was dubious about accepting it.

Examples of usage

She gave him a suspicious look.
There was something suspicious about the way he was acting.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

Causing one to have the idea or impression that something or someone is of questionable, dishonest, or dangerous character.

Synonyms

dubious, questionable, shady.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suspicious	Used when there is doubt or disbelief about someone's honesty or behavior, often suggesting potential wrongdoing. She was suspicious of his sudden interest in her finances
questionable	Applied when something is of doubtful quality or validity and it may be disputed or uncertain. The company's questionable business practices have attracted scrutiny from regulators
dubious	Suitable when something is uncertain or causing doubt, often with a sense of skepticism or lack of trust. He gave her a dubious look when she said she could finish the project in one day
shady	Often implies dishonesty or deceit, and is used in informal or colloquial contexts. It can have a negative connotation. There's something shady about that deal; we should investigate further

Examples of usage

The package looked suspicious so they called the authorities.
His behavior at the party was quite suspicious.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'suspicious'

The word 'suspicious' originated from the Latin word 'suspiciosus', meaning 'full of mistrust'. Over time, the meaning evolved to signify a cautious distrust or an impression of dishonesty. The concept of suspicion has been prevalent in human interactions throughout history, reflecting the inherent need for self-preservation and protection against potential threats.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,978 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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6976 anticipation
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6980 proprietor
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...