it looks suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks suspect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or suspicion about something that appears questionable or untrustworthy. Example: "The financial report has several discrepancies; it looks suspect to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It looks suspect.

Vice

If it looks suspect, discard it.

WikiHow

"It looks suspect, doesn't it?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Army's rationale for killing a key helicopter upgrade looks suspect given its past missteps.

Forbes

It appears that in Trump's eyes, Saudi Arabia looks suspect ― inextricably linked to radical Islam and not fully trustworthy. .

Huffington Post

A study that had excited researchers and journalists alike now looks suspect.

The New Yorker

If the Democrats could turn these states firmly blue, the theory goes, they would have future presidential elections sewn up.That cheery calculus now looks suspect.

The Economist

I pick up the phone any time a bill looks suspect.

Vice

Even if this was to pan out as a completely platonic rendezvous, we both knew it'd look suspect to be seen fraternizing outside of the halls of education.

Vice

Even if this was to pan out as a completely platonic rendezvous, we both knew it'd look suspect to be seen fraternising outside of the halls of education.

Vice

Worst of all, the malicious URL looks legitimate — because the user still logs in through Microsoft's systems, and the "wreply" parameter in the URL also doesn't look suspect because it's an Office subdomain.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it looks suspect", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "the contract details look suspect" rather than simply "it looks suspect".

Common error

While "it looks suspect" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal documents. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "appears questionable" or "raises concerns" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks suspect" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing an impression or opinion about something's appearance or nature. It suggests a perceived lack of trustworthiness or validity, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it looks suspect" is used to express doubt or suspicion about something based on its appearance. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is most common in News & Media sources and considered neutrally informal, it can be replaced with stronger alternatives such as "it seems dubious" or "it appears questionable" depending on the situation. When utilizing "it looks suspect", one must ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and maintain a professional tone by avoiding overuse in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems dubious

Replaces "looks" with "seems" and "suspect" with "dubious", indicating a feeling of doubt or question.

it seems untrustworthy

Directly addresses the lack of trust associated with something.

it appears questionable

Substitutes "looks" with "appears" and "suspect" with "questionable", suggesting something is not entirely correct or reliable.

it raises suspicion

Focuses on the action of causing suspicion rather than the appearance of being suspect.

it strikes me as odd

Shifts the focus to personal perception of something being strange or unusual.

it gives cause for concern

Highlights the potential negative consequences or problems associated with something.

it doesn't add up

Implies that the details or information do not logically connect or make sense.

it smells fishy

Uses a more informal and figurative expression to indicate something is not right or honest.

it rings alarm bells

Suggests that something is a warning sign or cause for concern.

it's a bit dodgy

Uses a British slang term to mean questionable or unreliable.

FAQs

What does "it looks suspect" mean?

The phrase "it looks suspect" suggests that something appears to be untrustworthy, questionable, or not entirely honest. It implies a degree of doubt or suspicion about the subject.

How can I use "it looks suspect" in a sentence?

You can use "it looks suspect" when you want to express that something seems doubtful or unreliable based on its appearance or available information. For example, "The data in the report "it looks suspect" after closer examination."

What can I say instead of "it looks suspect"?

You can use alternatives like "it seems dubious", "it appears questionable", or "it raises suspicion" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is "it looks suspect" formal or informal?

"It looks suspect" is generally considered neutral to informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "appears questionable" or "raises concerns".