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
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
This time around, while Chambers remains turned away, Teasdale crouches with an unsettling smile and long fingernails, conjuring a skin-crawling suspense.
—
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Maybe with a more daring hand on the helm, our voyage wouldn’t have run out of suspense before the conclusion.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
But Australian theater and film director Simon Stone’s blandly glossy, capably acted adaptation, co-written with Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, is mostly a pedestrian affair that waits until the denouement to crank up the suspense and show some teeth.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Ron’s crusade against corporate shadiness (and shoddiness) never generates much suspense.
—Judy Berman, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suspense
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Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Maybe with a more daring hand on the helm, our voyage wouldn’t have run out of suspense before the conclusion.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025
But Australian theater and film director Simon Stone’s blandly glossy, capably acted adaptation, co-written with Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, is mostly a pedestrian affair that waits until the denouement to crank up the suspense and show some teeth.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Ron’s crusade against corporate shadiness (and shoddiness) never generates much suspense.
—Judy Berman, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for suspense
Cite this Entry
“Suspense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspense. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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