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.
The hit held in the air, the suspense of the game’s potential first run slowly drifting to the wall. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025 Produced by Tri Destined Studios and Urban Books Media, The Family Business franchise remains a potent mix of action, suspense, and family drama—one that shows no signs of slowing down. Okla Jones, Essence, 3 Oct. 2025 In the end, Open Group’s tragic karaoke tune captures fear, longing, suspense, despair, loss, destruction, displacement, awaiting of news, disappointment in diplomatic solutions, the ecological and human toll of it all. Joanna Warsza, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 In a thriller, the suspense is built around a challenge posed to the protagonist — the last big score before retiring, being innocently accused of a crime or accidentally getting involved in something dangerous and deadly. Anders De La Motte, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 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 5 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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