suspicion

1 of 2

noun

sus·​pi·​cion sə-ˈspi-shən How to pronounce suspicion (audio)
1
a
: the act or an instance of suspecting something wrong without proof or on slight evidence : mistrust
b
: a state of mental uneasiness and uncertainty : doubt
2
: a barely detectable amount : trace
just a suspicion of garlic

suspicion

2 of 2

verb

suspicioned; suspicioning sə-ˈspi-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce suspicion (audio)

transitive verb

chiefly dialectal
Choose the Right Synonym for suspicion

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of suspicion in a Sentence

Noun There has long been a suspicion that the painting is a fake. I thought the water might be making us sick, and my suspicions were confirmed by the lab tests. The note aroused her suspicions that he was having an affair. I have a sneaking suspicion that those cookies aren't really homemade. The new policies are regarded by many with suspicion. His story has raised some suspicion. I have my suspicions about his motives. Verb no one will ever suspicion that I'm the one who pulled the prank
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
She was charged with a DUI after she was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and for allegedly driving the wrong way on a freeway. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Related article The dangerous parallels between Putin’s ambitions in Ukraine and Xi’s claims on Taiwan Beijing’s ties to Moscow have sparked deep suspicion in the West, including over concerns about China’s position as the Kremlin’s key economic lifeline. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 As Sister James gets caught in the middle, between Aloysius’ suspicions and Flynn’s protestations of innocence, and does not know what or whom to believe, so is the crowd watching inside the theater. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024 This new account has been greeted with suspicion by many. Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 29 Feb. 2024 Tangent Reports of the balloon Friday prompted suspicion on social media that the balloon was related to surveillance again. James Farrell, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Chua’s suspicions were piqued by the volumes on offer, perhaps 20 or more from a single seller who might also offer a wait list for the next delivery. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024 These figures confirm the suspicions of women in corporate America who have long watched men magically fail upward while women seem to be given less leeway to make mistakes. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2024 Their suspicions seemed to have been confirmed in May of the same year when Alexandra was seen at the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. Haley Van Horn, Peoplemag, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suspicion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English suspecioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin suspicion-, suspicio, from suspicere to suspect — more at suspect

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suspicion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near suspicion

Cite this Entry

“Suspicion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspicion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

suspicion

1 of 2 noun
sus·​pi·​cion sə-ˈspish-ən How to pronounce suspicion (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of suspecting or being suspected
2
: a feeling that something is wrong without definite evidence
3
: a small amount

suspicion

2 of 2 verb
suspicioned; suspicioning -ˈspish-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce suspicion (audio)
chiefly substandard

Legal Definition

suspicion

noun
sus·​pi·​cion
: the act or an instance of suspecting something : a mental state usually short of belief in which one entertains a notion that something is wrong or that a fact exists without proof or on slight evidence see also reasonable suspicion
suspicionless adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on suspicion

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