suspect
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to think that something is probably true or exists, even if you are not 100% sure.
v.to suppose something to be true or likely based on intuition or incomplete evidence.
Simple“I suspect that the train will be late because of the heavy snow.”
In context“Economists suspect that the recent dip in consumer spending is a temporary reaction to the new tax laws rather than a long-term trend.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to think that someone has done something wrong or committed a crime.
v.to believe someone to be guilty of a specific misdeed or crime without conclusive proof.
Simple“The police suspect him of stealing the car last night.”
In context“Although the internal auditors suspect the manager of embezzlement, they lack the forensic evidence required to bring formal charges.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a person who the police think may have committed a crime.
n.a person under consideration as the possible perpetrator of an offence.
Simple“The police have arrested a suspect in connection with the robbery.”
In context“The lead investigator interviewed three potential suspects, but all of them provided verifiable alibis for the night in question.”
UsageThe stress is on the first syllable (SUS-pect) when used as a noun.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.something that you do not trust or that seems wrong or dangerous.
adj.of questionable truth, quality, or legality; inspiring distrust.
Simple“The data in this report looks a bit suspect to me.”
In context“The company's accounting practices were deemed suspect by the regulatory body, leading to a comprehensive federal investigation.”
UsageThe stress is on the first syllable (SUS-pect) when used as an adjective.
Antonyms
“Police in São Paulo said they suspected the works had been sold.”
“Flight crews had recorded four suspected bird strikes involving the same engine during the previous year.”
From Old French suspect, from Latin suspectus, perfect passive participle of suspiciō (“mistrust, suspect”), from sub (“under”), + speciō (“watch, look at”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.