suspect Meaning & Definition
What Does Suspect Mean?
As a verb, suspect means To imagine or suppose (something) to be true, or to exist, without proof. It can also mean To distrust or have doubts about (something or someone). As a noun, it means A person who is suspected of something, in particular of committing a crime. As an adjective, it means Viewed with suspicion; suspected.
Suspect: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈsʌspɛkt/ |
| Synonyms | surmise, queer and doubt |
| Antonyms | trust, bank and complainant |
| Plural | suspects |
| Comparative / superlative | more suspect, most suspect |
| Verb forms | suspects, suspecting, suspected |
Suspect Definition (Verb)
- To imagine or suppose (something) to be true, or to exist, without proof.
to suspect the presence of disease
- To distrust or have doubts about (something or someone).
to suspect the truth of a story
- To believe (someone) to be guilty.
I suspect him of being the thief.
- To have suspicion.
- To look up to; to respect.
Suspect as a Noun
- A person who is suspected of something, in particular of committing a crime.
Suspect as an Adjective
- Viewed with suspicion; suspected.
All his claims about the wealth of his family are rather suspect.
- Viewing with suspicion; suspecting.
Synonyms of Suspect
Antonyms of Suspect
Suspect in a Sentence
to suspect the presence of disease
to suspect the truth of a story
I suspect him of being the thief.
All his claims about the wealth of his family are rather suspect.
Word Forms & Grammar
suspect (third-person singular simple present suspects, present participle suspecting, simple past and past participle suspected)
suspect (plural suspects)
suspect (comparative more suspect, superlative most suspect)
Words That Rhyme With Suspect
Origin of Suspect
From Old French suspect, from Latin suspectus, perfect passive participle of suspiciō (“mistrust, suspect”), from sub (“under”), + speciō (“watch, look at”).
Common Questions About Suspect
Is suspect a verb or a noun?
Suspect is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun and an adjective.
What is another word for suspect?
Close synonyms of suspect are surmise, queer and doubt. See the full list of suspect synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of suspect?
Words opposite in meaning to suspect are trust, bank, complainant and swear.
What is the plural of suspect?
The plural of suspect is suspects.
What is the past tense of suspect?
The past tense of suspect is suspected. The present participle is suspecting.