What does suspicious mean Meaning and Definition
What does suspicious mean
Pronunciation
/ˈsʌspɪʃəs/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
A feeling or impression of doubt, unease, or insecurity about something or someone, typically as a result of observing unusual or unexplained behavior.
Examples
- The detective sensed something suspicious about the stranger’s behavior.
- The email raised a few suspicious questions about the company’s motives.
Synonyms
- Doubtful
- Questionable
- Sinister
Antonyms
- Normal
- Genuine
- Transparent
Etymology
The word “suspicious” comes from the Latin “suspiciosus,” meaning “watchful” or “full of suspicion.” It has been in use in the English language since the 15th century.
Usage Notes
Suspicious can be used to describe a feeling or intuition that something is not quite right, or to describe an action or behavior that is unusual or unexplained.
Cultural References
Suspicious has been used in numerous films, literature, and television shows to describe a character’s perception of another character’s intentions or behavior.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Raise suspicions
- Be on the lookout for something suspicious
- Have a suspicious mind
Related Words or Phrases
- Cautious
- Wariness
- Paranoia
Collocations
- Suspicious motives
- Suspicious behavior
- Suspicious activity
Frequency of Use
Suspicious is a commonly used word in modern language, particularly in discussions of security, crime, and politics.
Common Misspellings
- Suspicous
- Suspisous
- Suspeccious