suspicion 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈspi-shən How to pronounce suspicion (audio)
Definition of suspicionnext
1
as in doubt
a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something all his promises were received with well-deserved suspicion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hint
a very small amount new parents who were alarmed by just a suspicion of a rash on their baby's chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

suspicion

2 of 2

verb

chiefly dialect
as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence no one will ever suspicion that I'm the one who pulled the prank

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun suspicion differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suspicion are doubt, dubiety, mistrust, skepticism, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When would doubt be a good substitute for suspicion?

The words doubt and suspicion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When is dubiety a more appropriate choice than suspicion?

Although the words dubiety and suspicion have much in common, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When is it sensible to use mistrust instead of suspicion?

The words mistrust and suspicion can be used in similar contexts, but mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When can skepticism be used instead of suspicion?

In some situations, the words skepticism and suspicion are roughly equivalent. However, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

In what contexts can uncertainty take the place of suspicion?

The synonyms uncertainty and suspicion are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of suspicion
Noun
Raising family members’ fears and suspicions, Alcantara missed a phone call and a church planning event she was expected to attend, according to the criminal complaint. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025 The driver of the Chevy sedan was booked into San Diego County Jail and charged with suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing death or great bodily injury and felony hit-and-run resulting in death or injury. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025 My concerns have only doubled since the hearing, at which two academics from the University of Connecticut’s Puerto Rican Studies Initiative for Civic Engagement and Public Policy were treated with suspicion and sidelong disrespect by certain legislators. —Julio Fuentes, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2025 TikTok users loved Thor's video, with many comparing their own GSDs' quirks to Thor's suspicion of the trash can. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suspicion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspicion
  1. doubt
  2. hint
  3. guess
  4. skepticism
  5. glimmer
  6. assume
  7. uncertainty
  8. shred
Noun
  • If there was any doubt as to De Niro’s greatness, it’s laid to rest in these face-to-face confrontations.
    — Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Without a doubt, the perfect way to wrap up a day at Disney is with the fireworks show.
    — Ronny Maye, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of doubt
Noun
  • Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. CNN — I’m captivated by my new personal health tracker, a Christmas gift from my husband.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Here are some hints for today’s Quordle game, followed by the answers: What Are Today’s Quordle Hints?
    — Kris Holt, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of hint
Verb
  • With real-time data missing, the broader community is left guessing about which strains are circulating in the United States right now — an especially concerning blind spot given the threat of H5N1 and the constant mutation of seasonal flu viruses.
    — Richard Hughes IV, Baltimore Sun, 19 Mar. 2025
  • As fans of Meredith Grey's chaotic love life can probably guess, the scene in question was her one-night stand with T.R. Knight's George O' Malley.
    — Shania Russell, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of guess
Noun
  • At the same time, skepticism remains, with industry leaders such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang cautioning that meaningful commercial quantum applications could still be decades away.
    — Dr. Ekta Dang, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Jack Schlossberg made his snarky pitch in an Instagram video Thursday addressed to the wife of his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was made Trump’s secretary of health and human services — despite his skepticism of life-saving vaccines.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of skepticism
Noun
  • When former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested Tuesday and flown to the International Criminal Court at The Hague, his most prominent critic felt a glimmer of hope.
    — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But there are glimmers of hope, thanks to entrepreneurs like Kris Engskov.
    — Alison Coleman, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • Begin the transition one to two months before the new baby's due date, assuming that your toddler is at least 18 months old, says Dr. Widome.
    — Laura Broadwell, Parents, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Not only did these refugiums give life a chance to survive the mass extinction event, which lasted 200,000 years, but they are now thought to have been crucial to rebuilding ecosystems in much less time than was previously assumed.
    — Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of assume
Noun
  • With uncertainty because of tariffs already rattling markets, a government shutdown could prove disastrous.
    — JJ Kinahan, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • All the uncertainty, though, hasn’t shut down dealmaking on Wall Street.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncertainty
Noun
  • When the last shreds of sunlight vanish, everyone pulls their car up to the field and turns on their headlights.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Waste management giant Veolia shreds blades into small pieces that go in kilns to replace the coal, sand and clay required to make cement.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025
Definition of shred

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Cite this Entry

“Suspicion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspicion. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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