sus·pect
ˈsə-ˌspekt 
: one that is suspected
especially
: a person suspected of a crime
suspected; suspecting; suspects
1
: to imagine (one) to be guilty or culpable on slight evidence or without proof
suspect him of giving false information
2
: to have doubts of : distrust
suspects her motives
3
: to imagine to exist or be true, likely, or probable
I suspect he's right
: to imagine something to be true or likely
Synonyms
Examples of suspect in a Sentence
Adjective
The room had a suspect odor.
since she was carrying no cash or credit cards, her claim to the store's detectives that she had intended to pay for the items was suspect
Noun
One suspect has been arrested.
She is a possible suspect in connection with the kidnapping.
The prime suspect for the food poisoning is the potato salad.
Verb
He's suspected in four burglaries.
The police do not suspect murder in this case.
The fire chief suspects arson.
I suspect it will rain.
Call the doctor immediately if you suspect you've been infected.
The latest research confirms what scientists have long suspected.
I suspect she's not who she says she is.
“We haven't done our homework.” “I suspected as much.”
I suspected his motives in giving me the money.
I have reason to suspect her sincerity when she makes promises like that.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
The prime suspect has been identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Jan. 2025
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Jan. 2025
Then, in February 2024, Bryan was arrested for suspected of driving under the influence in California.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for suspect 
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Noun
Two law enforcement sources told CBS News that the suspect also had an AR-15 style weapon and a handgun with him at the time of the attack.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2025
The prime suspect has been identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran from Texas.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
New Orleans attack suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar's divorce filings point to financial difficulties
Inside one of the coolers, investigators found a device consisting of a steel pipe, nails and a relatively rare explosive chemical, a senior law enforcement official told ABC News on Friday.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Jan. 2025
Then, in February 2024, Bryan was arrested for suspected of driving under the influence in California.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for suspect
Dictionary Entries Near suspect
Cite this Entry
“Suspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspect. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
suspect
1 of 3 adjective
sus·pect
ˈsəs-ˌpekt
sə-ˈspekt
: regarded with suspicion
suspect
2 of 3 noun
sus·pect
ˈsəs-ˌpekt
: one that is suspected
especially
: a person suspected of a crime
suspect
3 of 3 verb
sus·pect
sə-ˈspekt
1
: to have doubts about
2
: to believe to be guilty without proof
suspect someone of theft
3
: to suppose to be true or likely
I suspect that it will rain
Legal Definition
suspect
1 of 3 adjective
sus·pect
ˈsəs-ˌpekt, sə-ˈspekt
: regarded or deserving to be regarded with suspicion or heightened scrutiny
suspect
2 of 3 noun
sus·pect
ˈsəs-ˌpekt
: a person suspected of a crime
also
: a person apprehended for but not yet charged with an offense
suspect
3 of 3 transitive verb
sus·pect
sə-ˈspekt
1
: to imagine (one) to be guilty on slight evidence or without proof
2
: to imagine to exist or be probable
they had reasonable cause to suspect abuse
Etymology
Adjective
Latin suspectus, from past participle of suspicere to look up at, regard with awe, suspect, from sub-, sus- up, secretly + specere to look at
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