suspicion 1 of 2

1
2

suspicion

2 of 2

verb

chiefly dialect

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
Noun
  • There's little doubt that AI will play an increasingly more prominent role in employee engagement, well-being and development.
    Kevin Korte, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • There’s little doubt that Ohtani will be back in the 2026 WBC with the Japanese team that is ranked first in the world.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • Avoid guessing or making up a story that misrepresents the financial facts.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Hackman, whose pacemaker activity made his last day alive easier to guess, likely died a week later.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
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
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
Verb
  • So until another shoe drops — assuming there will be another shoe — this deal feels somewhat incomplete for the Penguins.
    Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The regulatory process in California could take up to a year, assuming that Tesla’s technology proves to be safe, Smith said.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The uncertainty comes as the Fort Worth Independent School District is in the middle of developing a facilities plan to help the district keep up with declining enrollment.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025
  • On Monday, Ford said Ontario's electricity surcharge would remain in place despite the one-month reprieve from Trump, noting a one-month pause means nothing but more uncertainty.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suspicion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspicion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on suspicion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!