Word
suspicion
Phoneticssus·pi·cion, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈspɪʃən/
UK/səspˈɪʃən/
Definitions
01feeling of guilt
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a feeling that someone has done something wrong or dishonest.
n. the act of suspecting someone of a crime, error, or misdeed based on limited evidence.
“The police had a strong suspicion that the shopkeeper was lying about the robbery.”
“Initial suspicion fell upon the accountant after several unexplained discrepancies were discovered during the internal audit.”
Antonyms
02a hunch or belief
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a feeling that something is true or likely to happen.
n. a belief or opinion based on intuition or circumstantial evidence rather than direct proof.
“I have a sneaking suspicion that they are planning a surprise party for me.”
“The lead researcher harboured a growing suspicion that the data had been manipulated before it reached the laboratory.”
Synonyms
03a tiny amount
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a very small amount of something.
n. a slight trace or minute indication of a quality or substance.
“The soup was delicious, with just a suspicion of garlic in the sauce.”
“The diplomat's voice carried a suspicion of irony that was not lost on the experienced negotiators.”
04to suspect
C2 · Proficiency Dialect
v. to think that someone is guilty or that something is true.
v. to suspect or have a feeling of doubt; used as a verb in specific regional varieties.
“I suspicioned that he wasn't telling the whole truth about where he'd been.”
“The locals began to suspicion the newcomers after several strange occurrences near the old mill.”
Usage
This verb form is non-standard and typically restricted to specific regional dialects.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “suspicion” in context.
Verb
01. arouse suspicion
“His sudden departure in the middle of the night was enough to arouse suspicion among the neighbors.”
verb + noun
02. confirm a suspicion
“The forensic evidence served to confirm her suspicion that the document had been forged.”
verb + noun
03. harbor a suspicion
“She had long harbored a suspicion that her business partner was not being entirely honest about the profits.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. lingering suspicion
“Despite the acquittal, a lingering suspicion remained in the minds of the local community.”
adj + noun
05. sneaking suspicion
“I have a sneaking suspicion that they are planning a surprise party for my birthday.”
adj + noun
06. well-founded suspicion
“The police acted on a well-founded suspicion that the warehouse was being used for illegal activities.”
adj + noun
Preposition
07. above suspicion
“As a respected judge, he was considered to be entirely above suspicion.”
prep + noun
08. under suspicion
“Several high-ranking officials are currently under suspicion of accepting bribes.”
prep + noun
09. suspicion of arson
Real-World Examples
“A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life .” “Flanagan was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on May 2, 2022 and subsequently provided two breath samples at Thurles Garda station.” Etymology
From Middle English suspecioun, borrowed from Latin suspīciō, suspīciōnem, from suspicere, from sub- (“up to”) with specere (“to look at”). Perhaps partly through the influence of Old French sospeçon (or rather the Anglo-Norman form suspecioun). Equivalent to suspect + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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