What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suspiciously
Example
He looked at her suspiciously, wondering if she was telling the truth. [suspiciously: adverb]
Example
The police officer questioned him suspiciously, suspecting he might be involved in the crime. [suspiciously: adverb]
doubtfully
Example
She looked doubtfully at the recipe, unsure if she had all the ingredients. [doubtfully: adverb]
Example
He answered doubtfully, not sure if he remembered the correct answer. [doubtfully: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Doubtfully is less common than suspiciously in everyday language. Suspiciously is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts, while doubtfully is more limited in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between suspiciously and doubtfully?
Both suspiciously and doubtfully are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional settings. However, suspiciously may be more commonly used in legal or investigative contexts, while doubtfully may be more commonly used in academic or philosophical contexts.
