Suspect Meaning
/səˈspɛkt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo imagine or suppose (something) to be true, or to exist, without proof.
verbTo distrust or have doubts about (something or someone).
Sentence Examples
The witnesses were able to refute the false testimony of the suspect.
The fingerprints left on the weapon correspond with the suspect's.
The suspect has dark hair and green eyes.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective began to ____ the butler after finding his fingerprints on the weapon.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police began to ____ that the witness was not telling the entire truth about what happened that night today.
Word Origin & History
From Old French suspect, from Latin suspectus, perfect passive participle of suspiciō (“mistrust, suspect”), from sub (“under”), + speciō (“watch, look at”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"From her hand I could suspect no ill."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Mr. Campion appeared suitably impressed and she warmed to him. He was very easy to talk to with those long clown lines in his pale face, a natural goon, born rather too early she suspected."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 5, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"WikiLeaks did not cause these uprisings but it certainly informed them. The dispatches revealed details of corruption and kleptocracy that many Tunisians suspected, but could not prove, and would cite as they took to the streets."
— 2013 June 7, Gary Younge, “Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 18:
"An inhabitant of Gubio, in the duchy of Urbino, in Italy, suspecting the fidelity of his wife, he, in a fit of jealousy, in order to find out whether his suspicion was true, did what the ecclesiastick history informs us Origen did from devotion."
— 1785, James Ridgway, A Dictionary of Literary Conversation:
"What I can do or offer is suspect."
— 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 2:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective began to ____ the butler after finding his fingerprints on the weapon.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police began to ____ that the witness was not telling the entire truth about what happened that night today.