as in defendant
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1
as in to guess
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
we suspected that the runaway was a little younger than the 16 she claimed to be—more like 13
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to doubt
to have no trust or confidence in
I suspected him from the moment he said he was an old friend of my sister's, since I probably would have heard about him
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as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
since she was carrying no cash or credit cards, her claim to the store's detectives that she had intended to pay for the items was suspect
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suspect
Arkansas Online, 22 May 2026
In 1978, Derek Boston, who had become a suspect in another murder in the neighborhood, once again fingered Washington, Sims and Ellis in a bid for leniency.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Police spokesman Don Aaron told USA Today that no foul play is suspected in the incident, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine McWilliams' cause and manner of death.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspect
Noun
Detectives worked with the Real-Time Crime Center to identify Mallett as a possible suspect and found her and the vehicle, the post says.
—Arkansas Online, 22 May 2026
In 1978, Derek Boston, who had become a suspect in another murder in the neighborhood, once again fingered Washington, Sims and Ellis in a bid for leniency.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Verb
Already suspected during previous tragedies, the family becomes the target of rumor.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Police spokesman Don Aaron told USA Today that no foul play is suspected in the incident, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine McWilliams' cause and manner of death.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspect
Noun
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That’s true even though those colleges’ membership organization, the NCAA, is the defendant and is trying to enforce rules accepted by member schools.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
20 May 2026
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Wired ran a story about the butt pillows used by OpenAI’s phalanx of lawyers and executives, including the president and co-defendant, Greg Brockman, to insulate themselves from the discomfort of the court’s benches.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
Verb
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There, scientists guess that lower temperatures are causing carbon dioxide to freeze out of the atmosphere, with the CO2 falling as dry-ice snow and pulling dust down with it.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
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Redistricting shouldn’t leave people guessing, residents deserve clarity, access, and confidence in who represents them and how to engage with county government.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Former National Security Adviser John Bolton doubts that Raúl Castro had any interest in making a deal that would satisfy the desire for democracy in Cuba.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
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But some doubt that the nonagenarian Castro, who turns 95 in June, will ever be brought to justice in the United States.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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In March, independent journalist Nick Shirley released a video calling out a large number of questionable hospice providers clustered in Los Angeles, following his high-profile video investigation into fraudulent daycare providers in Minnesota.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
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Sure, his brethren didn't do themselves any favours with their questionable behaviour, but Rotta could be the one to prove that no one is defined by their past.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Knowing what foods spike blood sugar — and which ones quietly slip past your radar — matters because the culprits aren’t always the sweet stuff.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2026
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One of the biggest culprits has been slowing job growth, which has become downright anemic in the past year or so.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Scott, the attorney, also said Thursday that Williamson assumed, based on her conversations with McCluskie, that McCluskie had spoken to Becerra about the concept of the money transfer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
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Recommended Stories That’s assuming there’s actually enough of it accessible on the moon to be profitably extracted.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Even Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy questioned the idea.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
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While he was diagnosed with retrograde amnesia, which causes someone to lose memories before an event such as a brain injury, trauma or illness, Shannon’s husband, Eric Evangelista, began to question his diagnosis.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Further, according to a TSA spokesperson, packing food that looks suspicious on X-ray, like powders or dense snacks, often gets your bag flagged.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
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Officers searched the grounds and found nothing suspicious.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspect. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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