suspense
noun
sus·pense
sə-ˈspen(t)s 
1
: the state of being suspended : suspension
2
a
: mental uncertainty : anxiety
b
: pleasant excitement as to a decision or outcome
a novel of suspense
3
: the state or character of being undecided or doubtful : indecisiveness
Synonyms
Examples of suspense in a Sentence
I can't bear the suspense.
The suspense builds as the story progresses.
Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense.
The movie is a suspense thriller.
Recent Examples on the Web
The elaborate sound design team contributes acoustic layers of suspense and worry.
—
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024
Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images Over the past year, the process by which the two major political parties choose their candidates for president has unfolded with little, if any, suspense.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 22 June 2024
To end the suspense, Goldsworthy took a scale from Ince’s trout and sent it to a University of Minnesota laboratory for DNA testing.
—John Myers, Twin Cities, 11 June 2024
Something tells us that’s not half of what the director has up his sleeve with Trap, though even those who manage to slip past his narrative snares can still revel in his rather Hitchcockian way with suspense and composition.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for suspense 
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024
Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images Over the past year, the process by which the two major political parties choose their candidates for president has unfolded with little, if any, suspense.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 22 June 2024
To end the suspense, Goldsworthy took a scale from Ince’s trout and sent it to a University of Minnesota laboratory for DNA testing.
—John Myers, Twin Cities, 11 June 2024
Something tells us that’s not half of what the director has up his sleeve with Trap, though even those who manage to slip past his narrative snares can still revel in his rather Hitchcockian way with suspense and composition.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 20 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for suspense
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suspense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near suspense
Cite this Entry
“Suspense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspense. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
suspense
noun
sus·pense
sə-ˈspen(t)s
1
: the state of being suspended : suspension
2
a
: mental uncertainty : anxiety
b
: pleasant excitement caused by wondering what will happen
a novel of suspense
3
: the state of being undecided
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share