suspense
5 synonyms for suspense, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling of nervous excitement or anxiety while waiting to find out what happens.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use suspense
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
build suspense
the suspense is killing me
keep someone in suspense
Etymology
From Old French suspens, from Latin suspensus, "hung up" — the same root as "suspend."
Full origin of suspense →Frequently asked questions
What does “suspense” mean?
The word “suspense” means a feeling of nervous excitement or anxiety while waiting to find out what happens. In plain terms, the tense, uncertain feeling of waiting to find out what happens next.
How do you pronounce “suspense”?
“Suspense” is pronounced suh-SPEHNS (/səˈspɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “suspense” in a sentence?
Here is “suspense” used in a sentence: “The suspense was killing her as she waited for the results.”
What part of speech is “suspense”?
“Suspense” is a noun.
Where does the word “suspense” come from?
The word “suspense” comes from Latin. From Old French suspens, from Latin suspensus, "hung up" — the same root as "suspend.".
Is “suspense” a common word?
“Suspense” is an uncommon word in modern English.
