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
Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
At the time of the investigation, police tracked down multiple leads, but no suspect was ever identified.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Researchers also suspect North Korea’s BlueNoroff group is behind the attacks, pointing to the internet domain and IP addresses used to host the attacks and their connection to previous hacking campaigns.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suspect 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
One witness followed the truck while calling 911, and police officers pulled over the suspect in the 800 block of East Tabor Avenue, about 2½ miles from the mall.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
At the time of the investigation, police tracked down multiple leads, but no suspect was ever identified.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
But Miss Manners suspects a quick stop to inquire if any further assistance was needed would not have done any lasting damage to your GPA.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Researchers also suspect North Korea’s BlueNoroff group is behind the attacks, pointing to the internet domain and IP addresses used to host the attacks and their connection to previous hacking campaigns.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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 26 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share