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
Initially, the series finale against the Diamondbacks produced little suspense.
—
Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Harlin stages the shark attacks in an overt here-ya-go way, with the one consistent suspense issue being whether the shark will consume a victim whole or bite off his or her limb or simply leave them with a nasty gash (which happens quite often).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
The many leaps in time to the wedding—to which Ruben shows up on a motorcycle, angry enough to knock his brother out with a single punch—consistently ratchet up the sense of dread, and the suspense over why or how these two have stayed enmeshed.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Best of Bloomberg The deadlock continues and suspense builds over whether Iran will participate in a second round of talks before the ceasefire expires tomorrow.
—Menaka Doshi, Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspense
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Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Harlin stages the shark attacks in an overt here-ya-go way, with the one consistent suspense issue being whether the shark will consume a victim whole or bite off his or her limb or simply leave them with a nasty gash (which happens quite often).
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
The many leaps in time to the wedding—to which Ruben shows up on a motorcycle, angry enough to knock his brother out with a single punch—consistently ratchet up the sense of dread, and the suspense over why or how these two have stayed enmeshed.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Best of Bloomberg The deadlock continues and suspense builds over whether Iran will participate in a second round of talks before the ceasefire expires tomorrow.
—Menaka Doshi, Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspense
Cite this Entry
“Suspense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspense. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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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