suspect

14 synonyms and 2 antonyms for suspect, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To think that something is probably true, without having proof.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

suppose guess imagine believe sense funny

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

presume defendant distrust shady suspicious

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

surmise mistrust fishy

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To think that something is probably true, without having proof.

“I suspect she already knows the surprise.”

suppose presume guess imagine surmise believe sense defendant distrust mistrust

Opposites

disbelieve

2. verb

To believe someone is guilty of something, without firm evidence.

“Detectives suspected him from the very beginning.”

Opposites

trust

3. noun

A person thought to be responsible for a crime.

“The suspect was taken in for questioning.”

defendant

4. adj

Regarded with doubt or distrust; possibly not genuine or reliable.

“His alibi sounded suspect from the start.”

shady funny suspicious fishy

How to use suspect

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

prime suspect suspect foul play a suspect motive

Note the stress shift: the verb is stressed on the second syllable (suh-SPECT), the noun and adjective on the first (SUS-pect).

Etymology

From Old French suspect, from Latin suspectus, the past participle of suspicere, "to look up at, mistrust" — from sub- ("under") plus specere ("to look").

Full origin of suspect →

Frequently asked questions

What does “suspect” mean?

The word “suspect” means to think that something is probably true, without having proof. In plain terms, to believe something is likely true (verb), a person thought to have committed a crime (noun), or doubtful/untrustworthy (adjective).

How do you pronounce “suspect”?

“Suspect” is pronounced suh-SPEHKT (/səˈspɛkt/ in IPA).

How do you use “suspect” in a sentence?

Here is “suspect” used in a sentence: “I suspect she already knows the surprise.”

What part of speech is “suspect”?

Depending on how it is used, “suspect” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “suspect” come from?

The word “suspect” comes from Latin. From Old French suspect, from Latin suspectus, the past participle of suspicere, "to look up at, mistrust" — from sub- ("under") plus specere ("to look").

Is “suspect” a common word?

“Suspect” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “suspect” have?

“Suspect” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to think that something is probably true, without having proof.

What is the difference between 'suspect' and 'expect'?

To suspect something is to think it is probably true without proof, often about something negative — 'I suspect he forgot.' To expect something is to anticipate it happening, usually with more confidence — 'I expect he'll arrive soon.' Suspicion leans on doubt; expectation leans on likelihood.

What is the difference between suspect as a verb and as a noun?

As a verb, 'to suspect' means to believe something is probably true, and it is stressed on the second syllable: su-SPECT. As a noun, 'a suspect' is a person thought to be guilty of a crime, stressed on the first syllable: SUS-pect. Same spelling, different sound and role.

Does 'suspect' always mean something bad?

Not always, but it usually leans negative. We most often suspect problems, wrongdoing, or unwelcome facts — 'I suspect a leak.' You can suspect something neutral or even good, as in 'I suspect you're right,' but the word still carries a hint of doubt or wariness.

What is an example of 'suspect' used as a verb?

You might say 'I suspect it will rain later,' meaning you think it likely without being certain, or 'police suspect foul play,' meaning they believe it probable but lack proof. In each case 'suspect' expresses a reasoned hunch rather than a confirmed fact.

Related words

suspicion suspicious

People also searched

believe sense guess trust funny imagine suppose suspicious defendant shady presume distrust

Nearby words

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