Suspect
To believe that something is true or probable; to have a suspicion about something.
verbSuspect
To believe that something is true or probable; to have a suspicion about something.
verbImagine This
Imagine a detective at a crime scene. A shadowy figure keeps glancing away and changing their story. The detective cannot prove guilt yet, but he strongly suspects the person is involved and weighs the evidence carefully.
Sounds Like
uh-SPEKT (verb); SUS-pekt (noun, less common); shares sound with related forms like suspicion and inspect
Looks Like
sus-pect, combining 'sus' (as in suspicious) with 'pect' (to look).
Remember This
Suspect is related to suspicion and suspecting; root spect/spec means to look. The word can function as a verb (to think something is true), a noun (a person believed to be guilty), or an adjective (describing something as doubtful or questionable).
Other Forms
Connect With
doubt, suspicion, distrust, infer, presume, surmise, conjecture
Note
Use 'suspect' with that-clause or 'that' to introduce the idea (e.g., I suspect that..., They suspect he is lying). Distinguish from 'susceptible' (likely to be affected) and from 'suspicion' (a feeling of doubt or mistrust).
Study Deeper
- I suspect that he forgot to turn off the stove.
- The police suspect the thief fled the scene after reviewing CCTV footage.
From Latin suspicere 'to look up at, to mistrust,' from sub- (up) + specere (to look).
Suspect = See Under Suspicion: when you suspect someone, you look at them with suspicion.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Infer
verbTo arrive at a conclusion through reasoning from given facts or evidence; to deduce.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.