noun

suspense

suh-SPEHNS

noun

A feeling of nervous excitement or anxiety while waiting to find out what happens.

"The suspense was killing her as she waited for the results."

"The film builds suspense right up to the final scene."

How to Use Suspense

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe tense, uncertain feeling of waiting to find out what happens next.

Common pairings

build suspense the suspense is killing me keep someone in suspense

suspenses plural

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The _____ was killing her as she waited for the results.

From Old French suspens, from Latin suspensus, "hung up" — the same root as "suspend."

tense sense dense incense immense offense intense license expense defense nonsense condense