looks suspect

USAGE SUMMARY

"looks suspect" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express suspicion or doubt about a person or thing. For example: "The man's behavior looks suspect; we should be careful around him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

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

In the rubble of yesterday's defeat, Ryan's decision to start Scurry instead of Hope Solo looks suspect, but the coach had his reasons.

The New York Times

But even that claim looks suspect: if America's GDP growth this year slows to the average forecast of 1.5%, then the decline in growth from 5% last year would be very abrupt indeed.

The Economist

As soon as that happens then promotion/relegation looks suspect, and we're a step closer to a Spanish or US model where the lower leagues don't have a route up".

The Guardian - Sport

With Hernández going on the 15-day disabled list for an inflamed second toe on his left foot and the Yankees concerned that he might need surgery, the back end of their rotation looks suspect.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Both judgments now look suspect.

The Economist

But some of the findings look suspect.

The Economist

On closer inspection, these claims look suspect.

The New York Times

All big spenders look suspect these days.

The New York Times - Arts

Those moves looked suspect in the short term.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks suspect" when you want to express a preliminary sense of doubt or suspicion, but without making a definitive judgment. It's useful in situations where more information is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "looks suspect" as a final conclusion without further investigation. It suggests a preliminary assessment, not a proven fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks suspect" functions as a descriptor, primarily modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that something appears doubtful or untrustworthy. It expresses a subjective assessment based on available information, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks suspect" is a common way to express doubt or suspicion, often used in news and media, as well as in more general contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable. While its frequency is uncommon, according to Ludwig's analysis of example sentences and sources, it is a versatile and readily understood expression. Alternatives such as "seems doubtful" or "appears questionable" may be appropriate depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems doubtful

Indicates a feeling of uncertainty about something.

appears questionable

Suggests that something's validity or honesty is being challenged.

seems fishy

Implies a sense of something being dishonest or untrustworthy.

raises suspicion

Indicates that something causes others to become suspicious.

is under suspicion

Implies that a person or thing is being investigated for wrongdoing.

smells rotten

Suggests something is wrong, corrupt, or deceitful.

doesn't pass muster

Means something fails to meet the required standards.

rings alarm bells

Implies that something is causing concern and alerting attention.

casts doubt

Suggests something causes people to question its reliability or truth.

is open to doubt

Expresses that something can be questioned.

FAQs

How to use "looks suspect" in a sentence?

Use "looks suspect" to indicate that something appears doubtful or suspicious based on initial observation. For example, "The company's financial reports "looks suspect" after the recent audit".

What can I say instead of "looks suspect"?

You can use alternatives like "seems doubtful", "appears questionable", or "raises suspicion" depending on the context.

Is "looks suspect" formal or informal?

"Looks suspect" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives such as "appears questionable".

What's the difference between "looks suspect" and "is suspect"?

"Looks suspect" suggests a preliminary assessment based on initial observation, while "is suspect" implies a stronger level of certainty, suggesting that something has been determined to be doubtful or untrustworthy.