suspiciously

Everyday

1. Suspiciously means in a way that shows you do not trust someone or something: «The dog sniffed the stranger suspiciously». tree →
2. Suspiciously means in a way that makes other people think something is wrong or that someone has done something bad: «He was acting suspiciously». tree →
3. (humour) Suspiciously can mean «surprisingly, in a way that makes you wonder»: «The room was suspiciously tidy». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and mysteries, characters look or act suspiciously, giving clues to the reader. In safety lessons, children learn to tell a trusted adult if someone is behaving suspiciously. In humour, «suspiciously quiet» means a parent thinks the children are up to something. Phrases: «act suspiciously», «look at someone suspiciously», «suspiciously quiet».

Examples

• The cat looked at the new dog suspiciously. tree →
• A man was acting suspiciously near the bikes. tree →
• The kids were suspiciously quiet in the kitchen. tree →
• She eyed the green soup suspiciously. tree →
• Report any bag left suspiciously on the train. tree →
• My brother was suspiciously helpful today. tree →
• The detective noticed the butler smiling suspiciously. tree →
• The Crow, her head cocked on one side, watched the Fox suspiciously. tree →

Note

From «suspicious» + -ly. Two directions: being suspicious (not trusting) or seeming suspicious (making others distrust you). Noun: «suspicion».