as in suspicious
inclined to doubt or question claims
suspecting dieters probably wouldn't fall for a weight-loss plan that claims you can eat as much as you want
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in guessing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in doubting
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suspecting
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
By episode five, Michael had moved on from suspecting Yam Yam to suspecting Colton, who was a ringleader in the previous episode’s banishment of Big Brother fan favorite Tiffany Mitchell.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
Coupled with the sight of her parents moving Christmas presents, blankets and their dog into the family car, Goodnight and her younger brother began suspecting the worst.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Officials said the rest of the group exited the water shortly afterward, suspecting there had been a shark attack in their group.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
In Downers Grove, a few hundred demonstrators rallied outside a hotel after spotting Department of Homeland Security vehicles in the parking lot and suspecting ICE agents were lodging there.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 19 Dec. 2025
It’s informed by four or five other things, what to share and what not to share and paranoia around who knows what, and then people are suspecting you of something and trying not to seem suspicious.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
The comments on the video flooded with reactions to the spooky moment, with many suspecting her home might be haunted.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
After initially suspecting a bullet or debris flicked up by a truck, the police ruled out both.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
Shortly after, a family member of Mitchell's reached out to police, suspecting Immanuel was actually Mitchell.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
By episode five, Michael had moved on from suspecting Yam Yam to suspecting Colton, who was a ringleader in the previous episode’s banishment of Big Brother fan favorite Tiffany Mitchell.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
Coupled with the sight of her parents moving Christmas presents, blankets and their dog into the family car, Goodnight and her younger brother began suspecting the worst.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Officials said the rest of the group exited the water shortly afterward, suspecting there had been a shark attack in their group.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
In Downers Grove, a few hundred demonstrators rallied outside a hotel after spotting Department of Homeland Security vehicles in the parking lot and suspecting ICE agents were lodging there.
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 19 Dec. 2025
It’s informed by four or five other things, what to share and what not to share and paranoia around who knows what, and then people are suspecting you of something and trying not to seem suspicious.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
The comments on the video flooded with reactions to the spooky moment, with many suspecting her home might be haunted.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
After initially suspecting a bullet or debris flicked up by a truck, the police ruled out both.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspecting
Adjective
-
The Gallup poll now departs for the same Valhalla as the big three broadcast networks, bowling leagues, and roast beef for Sunday dinner—institutions that were once almost universally accepted but did not survive in a more divided and mutually suspicious America.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
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My father was a convenience store owner, so convenience stores were both very familiar to me and at the same time rather suspicious.—
Blake Simons,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hosted by John Bishop, the 1% Club-esque show is inspired by scientist Francis Galton’s discovery from more than a century ago that crowds are better at guessing than individuals.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
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There is a narrative there… Here’s how the panelists told the story at the Grammy Museum, obviously with more of a focus on what was happening in Brother Studio, and secondary guessing at what was happening in Brian’s not always permeable head.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The market seems to be doubting the odds as well.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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The reaction in the comments is all over the place, with some doubting that Barrymore and Bertinelli actually went through with dyeing their hair gray.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Commenters are divided, with some agreeing wholeheartedly and others skeptical.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Some experts are also skeptical that Carr will ever make good on those threats through greater enforcement of the equal time provision.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That will add another two years to the litigation battle before any trials could even start, and that is assuming the energy companies lose.—
Mark Curriden,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The cap number can be held in a moderate range well beyond 2027, but assuming Nix has a healthy and productive 2026 season, Denver’s days with a quarterback on a rookie deal are numbered.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Public speakers echoed those concerns, questioning the district’s transparency and warning that additional reductions would further strain school communities.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Now, members of Congress have another shot at questioning Wexner, who is 88 years old.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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Most of North and Central Texas shouldbe cautious with burning on Thursday, but the wildfire threat is less severe.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even supposing the pledges in the 1990s documents amounted to a crime, the legal deadline for bringing mortgage fraud charges has expired.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suspecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspecting. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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