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
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Chronister said the suspect showed no emotion when investigators presented him with details of the killings.
—Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
The medical team suspects the medication isn't working.
—Will Stone, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspect
Noun
When Fiona disappears, local oddball Jerry (David Wilmot) is the chief suspect.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Chronister said the suspect showed no emotion when investigators presented him with details of the killings.
—Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Verb
But some suspect that earlier, simpler life-forms that predate even this common ancestor may have run on a leaner chemistry.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2026
The medical team suspects the medication isn't working.
—Will Stone, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for suspect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspect
Noun
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The University of Kansas Hospital Authority settled with the Noltes shortly before the trial, and District Court Judge Courtney Mikesic approved the confidential settlement on April 13, dismissing KU Med as a defendant.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
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Tupac’s stepbrother, Maurice Shakur, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Duane Davis and unnamed defendants, claiming recent developments point to a broader conspiracy behind the rapper’s death.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Frey keeps hitters guessing because of his rare ability to throw five different pitches for strikes.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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However, plenty of people show no signs at all, which is why blood testing matters more than guessing.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Don’t doubt Riley and the Heat’s ability to swing for the fences.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
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The visit also comes amid mounting calls for Starmer's resignation, though some experts doubt that any major shakeups will happen while the King is overseas.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said before tipoff Sunday that the team was prepared to play with or without Wembanyama, who was listed as questionable going into the game.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Preemptive strikes are a very questionable tactic unless the evidence of necessity is overwhelming.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Why Grass Might Be Growing Slowly Even though slow turf growth lawns is often attributed to lawn disease or incorrect fertilizer, Tony Burris, Lawn Services Supervisor at Killingsworth Environmental, says the the biggest culprits are soil conditions and environmental conditions.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
2 May 2026
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State economists have pointed to new entrants to the job market needing more time to find work, as opposed to people losing their jobs as one of the culprits behind the rise in the jobless rate.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Verb
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California’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 assumes a steep drop in driving.—
Aaron Cantú,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Many programs rely on standardized intervention lists, assuming similar outcomes across suppliers when every facility operates under its own set of constraints, meaning what succeeds in one place could prove a bust in another.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Every mistake is magnified, every penalty is questioned, every shortcoming is analyzed.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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In that clip, Cohen, 57, questioned whether the CMO role is typically short-term.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Charmed at first, Nella soon becomes confused and suspicious of her alleged ally as their approaches to racial bias and diversity begin to sharply diverge and the story, told through a past and present timeline, unravels with unexpected twists.—
Laura Zigman,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Los Angeles police evacuated Terminal 2 at LAX on Friday night amid an investigation into a suspicious item.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Suspect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspect. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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