suspicious
gb/səspˈɪʃəs/ us/səspˈɪʃəs/
B1
English
~ 4800
gyanakvó, gyanakszik, gyanús
B1
1
gyanakvó
B2
gyanakszik
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is suspicious of [someone/something]
The police grew suspicious of his sudden wealth.
A rendőrség gyanakodni kezdett a férfi hirtelen jött vagyona miatt.
She was suspicious of the stranger's offer.
Gyanakvással fogadta az idegen ajánlatát.
I'm suspicious that he isn't telling the whole truth.
They became suspicious after seeing the same car parked outside every night.
Learner examples
I am suspicious of the new neighbor.
Gyanakszom az új szomszédra.
She looks suspicious of the man in the hat.
Úgy tűnik, gyanakszik a kalapos férfira.
The teacher is suspicious of his excuse.
They are suspicious about the noise outside.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'suspicious' with 'suspect'. 'Suspicious' describes a feeling or quality, while 'suspect' is usually a noun or verb.
Meaning
feeling doubt or mistrust
Collocations
suspicious behavior
|suspicious activity
|suspicious circumstances
|look suspicious
|highly suspicious
Synonyms
distrustful (Focuses on a general lack of trust rather than a specific suspicion.)
|
wary (Suggests cautiousness and alertness to possible danger.)
Antonyms
trusting (Willing to believe people are honest without suspicion.)
|
confident (Feeling sure and without doubt about someone or something.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|crime
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Thinking that someone or something may be bad or not honest.
Having a feeling that someone may be dishonest, dangerous, or involved in something wrong.
B1
2
gyanús
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] looks/appears suspicious
The guards noticed a suspicious package near the entrance.
Az őrök egy gyanús csomagot vettek észre a bejárat közelében.
His story sounded suspicious to the investigators.
A története gyanúsnak hangzott a nyomozóknak.
They found her behavior at the meeting highly suspicious.
There was a suspicious smell coming from the basement.
Learner examples
That man looks suspicious.
Az a férfi gyanúsnak tűnik.
The box is suspicious.
A doboz gyanús.
Her smile is suspicious.
The sound outside is suspicious.
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'suspect' instead of 'suspicious' when describing an object or appearance.
Meaning
appearing dishonest or dangerous
Collocations
suspicious package
|suspicious smell
|suspicious noise
|look suspicious
|sound suspicious
Synonyms
questionable (Implies uncertainty or doubt about correctness or honesty.)
|
dubious (Suggests strong doubt about truthfulness or reliability.)
Antonyms
innocuous (Appearing harmless and not dangerous.)
|
trustworthy (Appearing reliable and honest.)
Themes
emotions
|crime
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|law
Definition
Looking like something bad or wrong may be happening.
Looking or seeming as if something is wrong, dishonest, or illegal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
suspicious
IPA
GB/səspˈɪʃəs/
US/səspˈɪʃəs/
Syllables & stress
sus - pi - cious (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: suspicious
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unsuspecting
adjective
Advanced or less common
suspiciousness
noun
Expressions
look suspicious
1/lˈʊk səspˈɪʃəs/
fixed phrase
appear dishonest or dangerous
To seem like you may be doing something wrong or bad.
Examples
- He began to look suspicious after avoiding questions.
- That box looks suspicious sitting there alone.
make someone suspicious
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn səspˈɪʃəs/
fixed phrase
cause doubt or mistrust in someone
To cause a person to think something may be wrong or dishonest.
Examples
- His late arrival made her suspicious.
- The missing files made the manager suspicious.
under suspicious circumstances
1/ˈʌndɚ səspˈɪʃəs sˈɚkəmstˌænsɪz/
fixed phrase
happening in doubtful conditions
Happening in a way that makes people think something bad or wrong may have happened.
Examples
- The official died under suspicious circumstances.
- The company closed suddenly under suspicious circumstances.