What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
questionable
Example
The company's financial practices were highly questionable. [questionable: adjective]
Example
The validity of the research findings was questionable due to the small sample size. [questionable: adjective]
suspicious
Example
The police found some suspicious items in his car. [suspicious: adjective]
Example
I am suspicious of his motives for offering to help. [suspicious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suspicious is more commonly used than questionable in everyday language. Suspicious is often used in news reports, crime stories, and legal contexts. Questionable is less common and is typically used in more formal or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between questionable and suspicious?
Both questionable and suspicious can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, questionable is more neutral and can be used in a wider range of formality levels, while suspicious has a more negative and accusatory tone, making it more appropriate for informal or negative contexts.
