suspicion

1 of 2

noun

sus·​pi·​cion sə-ˈspi-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of suspecting something wrong without proof or on slight evidence : mistrust

b

: a state of mental uneasiness and uncertainty : doubt

2

: a barely detectable amount : trace

just a suspicion of garlic

suspicion

2 of 2

verb

suspicioned; suspicioning sə-ˈspi-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

chiefly dialectal

: suspect

Synonyms

Noun

• distrust
• distrustfulness
• doubt
• dubiety
• dubitation [archaic]
• incertitude
• misdoubt
• misgiving
• mistrust
• mistrustfulness
• query
• reservation
• skepticism
• uncertainty

Verb

• assume
• conjecture
• daresay
• guess
• imagine
• presume
• speculate
• suppose
• surmise
• suspect

Choose the Right Synonym for suspicion

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of suspicion in a Sentence

Noun

There has long been a suspicion that the painting is a fake.

I thought the water might be making us sick, and my suspicions were confirmed by the lab tests.

The note aroused her suspicions that he was having an affair.

I have a sneaking suspicion that those cookies aren't really homemade.

The new policies are regarded by many with suspicion.

His story has raised some suspicion.

I have my suspicions about his motives.

Verb

no one will ever suspicion that I'm the one who pulled the prank

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The suspicion main producer Kim refers to is that, akin to those faced by the Love Island and Too Hot to Handle producers, audiences are starting to think some people are going on the show just to become famous. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025

On the dark side, Mercury in Scorpio often leads to suspicion or paranoia. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025

Most were detainees returned to Gaza, where they had been rounded up after the Oct. 7 attack and held without charge on security suspicions. —Mohammad Jahjouh, Wafaa Shurafa, Natalie Melzer and Tia Goldenberg The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025

Despite strong suspicions from those around her that Julie’s relationship with Jérémy was inappropriate at best, her persistent silence begins to speak volumes. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English suspecioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin suspicion-, suspicio, from suspicere to suspect — more at suspect

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1637, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing suspicion

• above/beyond suspicion
• on suspicion of
• the finger of blame/suspicion
• under a cloud of suspicion
• under suspicion

Rhymes for suspicion

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

suspicion

1 of 2 noun

sus·​pi·​cion sə-ˈspish-ən 

1

: the act or an instance of suspecting or being suspected

2

: a feeling that something is wrong without definite evidence

3

: a small amount

suspicion

2 of 2 verb

suspicioned; suspicioning -ˈspish-(ə-)niŋ 

chiefly substandard

: suspect entry 3

Legal Definition

suspicion

noun

sus·​pi·​cion

: the act or an instance of suspecting something : a mental state usually short of belief in which one entertains a notion that something is wrong or that a fact exists without proof or on slight evidence see also reasonable suspicion

suspicionless adjective