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REFERENCE

suspicious

adj.
US //səˈspɪʃəs// UK //səspˈɪʃəs// sus·pi·cious
  1. 1 feeling distrust (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    feeling that someone or something is dishonest or cannot be trusted.

    inclined to suspect evil or lack of trust; having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something.

    Example

    The bank became suspicious of the man when he tried to use a fake ID.

    Example

    The investigators remained suspicious of the witness's testimony, noting several inconsistencies between her current statement and her initial report.
    Pitfall
    I am suspicious about his motives.
    I am suspicious of his motives.

    While 'about' is sometimes used, 'suspicious of' is the standard prepositional pairing for this adjective.

  2. 2 appearing dishonest (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    making you feel that something is wrong, illegal, or dishonest.

    arousing or tending to arouse suspicion; appearing questionable or likely to be illegal.

    Example

    There was a suspicious package left alone on the train platform.

    Example

    The security team flagged the suspicious activity on the server after noticing multiple login attempts from an unrecognised IP address.
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  1. 3 showing doubt (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    showing through your expression or voice that you do not trust someone.

    expressing or indicative of suspicion in manner, look, or tone.

    Example

    She gave him a suspicious look when he said he was working late.

    Example

    He cast a suspicious glance toward the stranger who had been following him through the crowded market for the last ten minutes.
Origin

From Old French sospecious, from Latin suspiciosus, suspitiosus.

Word family

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