1.
If you are ~ of someone or something, you do not trust them, and are careful when dealing with them.
He was rightly ~ of meeting me until I reassured him I was not writing about him...
He has his father’s ~ nature.
ADJ: oft ADJ of n/-ing
~ly
‘What is it you want me to do?’ Adams asked ~ly.
ADJ: ADV after v
2.
If you are ~ of someone or something, you believe that they are probably involved in a crime or some dishonest activity.
Two officers on patrol became ~ of two men in a car...
A woman kept prisoner in a basement was rescued after ~ neighbours tipped off police.
ADJ: oft ADJ of n
3.
If you describe someone or something as ~, you mean that there is some aspect of them which makes you think that they are involved in a crime or a dishonest activity.
He reported that two ~-looking characters had approached Callendar...
ADJ
~ly
They’ll question them as to whether anyone was seen acting ~ly in the area over the last few days...
Police were told to arrest voters found with ~ly large sums of money in their pockets.
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj/adv
4.
see also ~ly