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
- debatable
- disputable
- dodgy [chiefly British]
- doubtable
- doubtful
- dubious
- dubitable
- equivocal
- fishy
- problematic
- problematical
- queer
- questionable
- shady
- shaky
- suspect
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Elizabeth was suspicious of Davis as an intellectual, because of the C.P., but admired her consistency through the years. 
Darryl Pinckney, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 This is a new change and police are suspicious of it. Char Adams, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2022 Those who are understandably suspicious of the current administration and its allies rally to the former president’s cause. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Halbig was suspicious of Obama’s credentials, too, and believed Trump would expose the government’s nefarious schemes. Amanda J. Crawford, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 These days, a large number of consumers are suspicious of tech giants like Meta, whose data many marketers rely on for ad targeting. Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 13 June 2022 Rodni's disappearance was initially considered a possible abduction due to the suspicious circumstances. Paul Best, Fox News, 23 Aug. 2022 The La Grange Park Fire Department put both fires out and the Department characterized the fires as suspicious in nature. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 Kimble was found dead under what police said called suspicious circumstances in an apartment on the north side. Staff Report, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Aug. 2022 See More
Darryl Pinckney, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 This is a new change and police are suspicious of it. Char Adams, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2022 Those who are understandably suspicious of the current administration and its allies rally to the former president’s cause. Gerard Baker, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2022 Halbig was suspicious of Obama’s credentials, too, and believed Trump would expose the government’s nefarious schemes. Amanda J. Crawford, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Aug. 2022 These days, a large number of consumers are suspicious of tech giants like Meta, whose data many marketers rely on for ad targeting. Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 13 June 2022 Rodni's disappearance was initially considered a possible abduction due to the suspicious circumstances. Paul Best, Fox News, 23 Aug. 2022 The La Grange Park Fire Department put both fires out and the Department characterized the fires as suspicious in nature. Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 Kimble was found dead under what police said called suspicious circumstances in an apartment on the north side. Staff Report, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
suspicious
adjective
sus·pi·cious sə-ˈspi-shəs
1
: likely to arouse suspicion
suspicious actions
2
: likely to distrust or be distrustful
Trolls are … mighty suspicious about anything new to them. J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit3
: showing distrust
a suspicious glance
suspicious
adjective
1
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged suspicious claims of being the rightful owner of the property Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- questionable
- dubious
- suspect
- doubtful
- disputable
- problematic
- problematical
- debatable
- fishy
- ambiguous
- alleged
- shaky
- shady
- unclear
- dodgy
- equivocal
- queer
- doubtable
- dubitable
- supposed
- uncertain
- unlikely
- weak
- improbable
- undetermined
- undecided
- moot
- flimsy
- so-called
- far-fetched
- open
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- certain
- sure
- unproblematic
- indisputable
- unquestionable
- undeniable
- incontestable
- indubitable
- questionless
- undoubted
- obvious
- decisive
- positive
- definitive
- clear
- hands-down
- open-and-shut
2
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims suspicious of any menu dish having a name she can't pronounce Synonyms & Similar Words
- skeptical
- cautious
- suspecting
- questioning
- distrustful
- wary
- mistrustful
- incredulous
- careful
- paranoid
- doubting
- disbelieving
- negativistic
- cynical
- curious
- unbelieving
- puzzled
- leery
- unsure
- paranoidal
- watchful
- inquisitive
- quizzical
- guarded
- critical
- show-me
- uncertain
- experienced
- nosy
- hesitant
- unconvinced
- inquiring
- leary
- sophisticated
- worldly
- undetermined
- snoopy
- nosey
- knowing
- undecided
- gun-shy
- unsettled
- worldly-wise
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uncritical
- credulous
- trustful
- gullible
- trusting
- naive
- unsophisticated
- certain
- naïve
- innocent
- unquestioning
- sure
- positive
- green
- confident
- simple
- unknowing
- unworldly
- ingenuous
- simpleminded
- inexperienced
- gullable
- idealistic
- impractical
- unsuspicious
- childlike
- raw
- wide-eyed
- careless
- callow
- duped
- unsuspecting
- deceived
- tricked
- unwary
- heedless
- beguiled
- gulled
3
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something you should be very suspicious of those telephone calls from people telling you that you're the winner of a contest you never entered Synonyms & Similar Words
- unsure
- skeptical
- uncertain
- doubtful
- dubious
- distrustful
- unsettled
- mistrustful
- unconvinced
- undecided
- hesitant
- ambivalent
- hinky
- conflicted
- trustless
- diffident
- on the fence
- insecure
- equivocal
- irresolute
- indecisive
- wavering
- vacillating
- halting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- certain
- sure
- positive
- convinced
- confident
- assured
- sanguine
- self-assured
- determined
- decisive
- resolute