Suspiciously
/səˈspɪʃəsli/
Definitions
In a manner that arouses or is likely to arouse suspicion; with doubt or distrust.
/səˈspɪʃəsli/
In a way that suggests that something is wrong or that someone cannot be trusted.
He looked at the package suspiciously, wondering what was inside.
💡 Simply: When something's done in a way that makes you think something sneaky is going on, or that someone is trying to hide something.
👶 For kids: Doing something that makes people think you might be hiding something.
More Examples
The dog sniffed the stranger suspiciously.
The witness testified suspiciously, avoiding eye contact.
How It's Used
"The detective eyed the stranger suspiciously as he entered the room."
"She looked at the empty cookie jar suspiciously after her brother left the kitchen."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
look suspiciously
To glance or gaze at someone or something with suspicion, doubt, or mistrust.
"The teacher looked at the students suspiciously when the fire alarm went off in the middle of class."
From Middle English *suspicious*, from Old French *sospicious*, from Late Latin *suspiciosus* (“mistrustful”), from Latin *suspicio* (“suspicion”). The '-ly' suffix converts the adjective 'suspicious' to an adverb.
The word 'suspiciously' has been used since the 16th century, evolving from its original French and Latin roots. Historical texts often used it to describe characters in literature and legal contexts.
Memory tip
Think of a detective squinting at a clue – that's how something is done suspiciously.
Word Origin
"to look up at, to mistrust"