the usual suspects
noun
: the usual people or things that are suspected or thought of in a particular situation
—often used humorously
The breakfast menu had all the usual suspects—eggs, pancakes, waffles, and French toast.
Examples of the usual suspects in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When the nominees for the 95th Academy Awards were announced on Jan. 24, the lineup was a traditional combination of the usual suspects and welcome outliers.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2023
George Eliot, the Brontë sisters, Dickens, the usual suspects, and, of course, George Orwell.
—Amy Sutherland, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2023
Naturally, Vanguard’s decision caused outrage from many of the usual suspects.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 25 Feb. 2023
My not-so-low-maintenance routine involves the usual suspects: primer, foundation, concealer, and powder.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2023
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David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2023
George Eliot, the Brontë sisters, Dickens, the usual suspects, and, of course, George Orwell.
—Amy Sutherland, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2023
Naturally, Vanguard’s decision caused outrage from many of the usual suspects.
—Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 25 Feb. 2023
My not-so-low-maintenance routine involves the usual suspects: primer, foundation, concealer, and powder.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“The usual suspects.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20usual%20suspects. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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