suspense

noun

sus·​pense sə-ˈspen(t)s How to pronounce suspense (audio)
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 adjective
suspensefully adverb
suspensefulness noun
suspenseless adjective

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
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.
Stories in which mystery and suspense and fear — stories replete with the trappings of the supernatural — were vehicles for lessons, for learning, for slices of life. Christa Carmen, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 GammaTime launched this month on iOS and Android devices with more than 20 Hollywood-caliber vertical originals spanning suspense thriller, romantic melodramas and true crime. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025 In a small and plainly shot movie that spends most of its time on Gaslighting 101, sublimates its true premise into the stuff of a late reveal, and whose only sequence of genre-forward suspense is a predictable snooze, such rare moments of real texture stand out all too much. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025 The owners noted that most shops confine horror to one shelf and blend it with mystery, thriller, and suspense. Jennifer Billock, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suspense

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from suspendre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suspense was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Suspense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspense. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

suspense

noun
sus·​pense sə-ˈspen(t)s How to pronounce suspense (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on suspense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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