Mistenkelige

Mistenkelige is the plural or indefinite form of the Norwegian adjective mistenkelig, meaning suspicious or suspect. It is used to describe nouns that raise doubt or imply that someone or something may be involved in wrongdoing. The phrase mistenkelige forhold, for example, refers to suspicious or questionable circumstances, while mistenkelige personer means suspicious persons. The word can apply to objects, behavior, or situations that prompt inquiry or scrutiny.

Etymology and related forms

The word originates from mistanke, meaning suspicion, with the suffix -lig forming an adjective meaning “having the quality of.” In Norwegian, mistenkelig is the base form, and mistenkelige is the common form used with plural nouns or with certain definite constructions. The term is closely related to Danish mistænkelig and shares semantic roots with other Scandinavian languages’ terms for suspicion and incrimination.

Usage and nuance

Mistenkelig conveys the sense that there is evidence or reason to doubt, without necessarily proving guilt. It is commonly used in journalism, police reports, and ordinary speech to denote something that warrants caution or investigation. It can be paired with synonyms such as tvilsom (doubtful) or mistanker (suspicions) to express varying degrees of certainty. While broadly neutral, mistenkelig can carry a slightly evaluative tone, implying suspicion rather than mere curiosity.

See also

Cognates in Danish (mistænkelig) and Swedish (misstänksam) reflect parallel language development. Related terms include mistanke (suspicion) and misstemning (suspicion or distrust in broader contexts).