suspicious

/səˈspɪʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈspɪʃəs/ (ame, ipa) · /sə-ˈspi-shəs/ (ame, mw)

suspicious — adjective

  • suspiciouspositive
  • more suspiciouscomparative
  • most suspicioussuperlative

1. describing a situation, event, or person's behaviour that makes you think someth

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describing a situation, event, or person's behaviour that makes you think something dishonest, illegal, or harmful might be going on

例句

A parcel left outside the empty house looked suspicious, so the neighbour called the police.

look + suspicious (predicative use)

Sumin noticed a suspicious van parked near her daughter's school every morning.

suspicious before a noun (attributive use)

同義詞
  • questionable

    less strong; suggests something is doubtful rather than clearly wrong

  • dubious

    slightly more formal; suggests something is morally or factually uncertain

  • shady

    informal; strongly suggests dishonesty or illegal intent

反義詞
  • innocent

    describes something that is not connected to wrongdoing

  • above board

    idiom; describes something open, honest, and legal

文法句型

suspicious + noun

be/look/seem + suspicious

anything/everything + suspicious

用法筆記

Commonly used to describe objects, situations, or behaviour — not the person who feels doubt. A 'suspicious package' is a package that arouses suspicion; a 'suspicious person' is someone whose actions look dishonest, not someone who feels distrust.

常見錯誤

❌I felt suspicious about the package on the street.
✅The package on the street looked suspicious.
💡When you mean something arouses suspicion, use the adjective to describe the thing itself, not your own feeling.

2. having a feeling that someone or something may be dishonest or dangerous, even w

2.形容詞B1
釋義

having a feeling that someone or something may be dishonest or dangerous, even when you do not have strong proof

例句

Layla grew suspicious of the mechanic after she kept increasing the repair bill.

grew suspicious of [sb]

The cat was suspicious of the new dog for several weeks before they became friends.

subject is an animal; suspicious of [sth]

同義詞
  • distrustful

    more formal; suggests a general unwillingness to trust rather than a specific doubt

  • wary

    describes cautious alertness rather than active suspicion; less negative

  • sceptical

    describes doubt about the truth of a claim, not suspicion of wrongdoing

反義詞
  • trusting

    describes a person who is willing to believe others

  • confident

    describes a feeling of certainty and trust

文法句型

be/become/grow + suspicious + of + noun/pronoun

suspicious + look/glance (attributive)

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person or living creature who feels distrust. Often followed by 'of' ('suspicious of the offer'). Distinguish from sense 1 — sense 1 describes the thing that causes suspicion (e.g., 'a suspicious noise'), while sense 2 describes the person who feels it (e.g., 'I am suspicious of that noise'). Can also appear before nouns of expression: 'a suspicious look' means a look that shows distrust.

常見錯誤

❌The empty wallet on the pavement was suspicious of the thief.
✅The old woman was suspicious of the stranger who offered to carry her bags.
💡Only a person (or creature) can be 'suspicious of' something. Objects that arouse doubt use sense 1 instead.