suspense

noun

sus·​pense sə-ˈspen(t)s 

1

: the state of being suspended : suspension

2

a

: mental uncertainty : anxiety

b

: pleasant excitement as to a decision or outcome

a novel of suspense

3

: the state or character of being undecided or doubtful : indecisiveness

suspenseful

sə-ˈspen(t)s-fəl 

adjective

suspensefully

sə-ˈspen(t)s-fə-lē 

adverb

suspensefulness

sə-ˈspen(t)s-fəl-nəs 

noun

suspenseless

sə-ˈspen(t)s-ləs 

adjective

Synonyms of suspense

• suspension

Examples of suspense in a Sentence

I can't bear the suspense.

The suspense builds as the story progresses.

Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense.

The movie is a suspense thriller.

Recent Examples on the Web

To be fair, the fault here lies equally with the scripts, which dump information without first creating suspense. — Alison Herman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

The holiday atmosphere can provide an extra element of suspense when done right, as in these four notable films. — David Faris, TheWeek, 22 Oct. 2026

But the Mets missed the postseason in 2024 and were 10½ games out on April 26, ending the suspense early this season. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Rather than relying on supernatural creatures or elaborate mythology, Fears to Fathom builds suspense around seemingly ordinary situations that take increasingly terrifying turns. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, in the phrase in suspence "in abeyance, in a state of uncertainty," borrowed from Anglo-French en suspens, borrowed from Medieval Latin in suspensō, from ablative of Latin suspensus or suspensum, noun derivative from past participle of suspendere "to suspend"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing suspense

• in suspense
• suspense account
• the suspense is killing me

Rhymes for suspense

• commence
• condense
• defence
• defense
• dispense
• expense
• fourpence
• halfpence
• immense
• incense
• intense
• missense

Kids Definition

suspense

noun

sus·​pense sə-ˈspen(t)s 

1

: the state of being suspended : suspension

2

a

: mental uncertainty : anxiety

b

: pleasant excitement caused by wondering what will happen

a novel of suspense

3

: the state of being undecided

suspenseful

-fəl 

adjective