German word

bedenklich

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈdɛŋklɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivesuspicious

Example

Er hat ein bedenkliches Alibi.

He has a suspicious alibi.

Illustration for bedenklich (suspicious)

More examples

Viele Experten sehen die neue Variante als bedenklich an.

Many experts regard the new variant as worrying.

Core concept

A warning sign that makes a situation seem untrustworthy or seriously unsafe.

Common phrases

  • als bedenklich gelten

    be considered worrying

  • ein bedenklicher Hinweis

    a worrying indication

  • in bedenklicher Weise

    in a worrying way

Similar words

zweifelhaft: Not fully convincing because the grounds or evidence are weak.
fragwürdig: Questionable on ethical or logical grounds and not deserving of trust.
verdächtig: Suggesting that a crime or wrongdoing may have occurred.
komisch: Strange or unnatural in a way that creates unease.

Definition in German

Etwas, das Misstrauen oder ernste Befürchtungen weckt und kritisch betrachtet werden sollte.

Word origin

Bedenklich is derived from the verb bedenken, 'to consider', with the suffix -lich, and denotes something that calls for serious consideration.

Usage tips

  • Bedenklich can mean 'worrying' as well as 'suspicious', so context shows whether the concern involves danger or trustworthiness.

Other meanings

  • worryingadjective

Opposites

  • unproblematischunproblematicadjective
  • sichersafeadjective

Related words

  • Bedenklichkeitworrying naturenoun
  • bedenkenlosheedlessadjective

Word lists with this word