suspiciously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspiciously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or behavior that appears to be questionable or not trustworthy. Example: "She looked at him suspiciously when he offered to help with her project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also had a special Twitter mirror that looked suspiciously like an iPad wrapped up in a prop from Sleeping Beauty.

The Guardian

There are serious inconsistencies in his denial – and we'll get to them soon – but it was not the president's suspiciously narrow answer that was criticised by many pundits.

The Guardian - Opinion

But they are as insubstantial (or at least unverifiable) as a trip to the stall next door, where the wares seem suspiciously different.

The Guardian

The ones which look suspiciously like translation jobs tend not to work".

The Guardian

The "northern powerhouse" was already looking suspiciously like Manchester.

The Guardian

Related: Three Muslim students dead in North Carolina shooting as suspect arrested Ahsan Zahid told Reuters that earlier in the week a man with his face covered was seen behaving suspiciously on the premises, and on Thursday someone drove by the centre and shouted mocking phrases in Arabic.

The Guardian

"They would have no power to impound the notes, but they would inform the Inland Revenue and the police of any suspiciously large volume of banknotes which they detected.

The Guardian

In real life, though, Deodato was doing something suspiciously similar.

The Guardian - Film

My firstborn, a daughter, raises her head above the water line in the birthing pool, eyes her surprised parents suspiciously and takes her first, shocked gulp of air.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sneaked out quietly in a written answer to the House of Lords on Monday, the end of British support for search and rescue operations in the southern Mediterranean reeks suspiciously of Australia's "stop the boats" solution.

The Guardian - Opinion

The red high-tops look suspiciously like Yeezy Boosts.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suspiciously", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the suspicion. Be specific about the actions or circumstances that warrant the distrust.

Common error

Avoid using "suspiciously" vaguely. Always clarify what triggers the suspicion; otherwise, the sentence lacks impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "suspiciously" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. Ludwig indicates that "suspiciously" describes an action or behavior that appears questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suspiciously" is a versatile adverb used to convey doubt, skepticism, or distrust. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, describing actions that appear questionable. Its frequency of use is high, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "suspiciously", provide clear context to avoid vagueness, and consider alternatives like "distrustfully" or "skeptically" to fine-tune your message. The phrase's neutral register allows for broad application, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distrustfully

Implies a lack of trust or belief.

skeptically

Indicates doubt about the truth of something.

doubtfully

Expresses uncertainty or disbelief.

with suspicion

Highlights the presence of doubt or distrust.

warily

Suggests caution due to potential danger or deception.

cautiously

Implies carefulness to avoid mistakes or risks.

incredulously

Expresses disbelief or astonishment.

questioningly

Indicates a questioning or doubtful manner.

dubiously

Expresses doubt or hesitation.

with a raised eyebrow

Suggests skepticism or disbelief through non-verbal communication.

FAQs

How can I use "suspiciously" in a sentence?

"Suspiciously" is typically used to describe how someone acts or how something appears. For example, "He looked at the package "suspiciously"" or "The deal seemed "suspiciously" good to be true."

What are some alternatives to "suspiciously"?

Alternatives to "suspiciously" include "distrustfully", "skeptically", or "doubtfully". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "with suspicion" or "suspiciously"?

While both are valid, "suspiciously" is generally more concise and direct as an adverb. "With suspicion" can be used for emphasis or in situations where an adverb isn't suitable, but "suspiciously" often provides a cleaner sentence structure.

What does it mean when someone acts "suspiciously"?

When someone acts "suspiciously", it means they are behaving in a way that suggests they are hiding something, are untrustworthy, or are potentially engaged in wrongdoing. Their actions raise doubt or distrust in others.