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Suspicious vs Skeptical - What's the difference?

suspicious | skeptical |

As adjectives the difference between suspicious and skeptical

is that suspicious is arousing suspicion while skeptical is having, or expressing doubt; questioning.

suspicious

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Arousing suspicion.
    • His suspicious behaviour brought him to the attention of the police.
  • Distrustful or tending to suspect.
    • I have a suspicious attitude to get-rich-quick schemes.
  • Expressing suspicion
    • She gave me a suspicious look.

    Synonyms

    * questionable * doubtful

    Derived terms

    * suspiciously * suspiciousness

    Related terms

    * suspect * suspicion * unsuspecting

    See also

    * odd * strange

    skeptical

    English

    Alternative forms

    * sceptical (British English)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having, or expressing doubt; questioning.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
    • , author=Colin Allen , title=Do I See What You See? , volume=100, issue=2, page=168 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Numerous experimental tests and other observations have been offered in favor of animal mind reading, and although many scientists are skeptical , others assert that humans are not the only species capable of representing what others do and don’t perceive and know.}}
    My teacher was skeptical when I told her my dog ate my homework.
    I can see why people are so skeptical [sic] about him, but I think he's on to something here. (regarded by organizations such as the BBC as an error)
  • Of or relating to skepticism or the skeptics.