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suspicion

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verb

chiefly dialect

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun suspicion differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suspicion are doubt, dubiety, mistrust, skepticism, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When would doubt be a good substitute for suspicion?

The words doubt and suspicion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When is dubiety a more appropriate choice than suspicion?

Although the words dubiety and suspicion have much in common, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When is it sensible to use mistrust instead of suspicion?

The words mistrust and suspicion can be used in similar contexts, but mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When can skepticism be used instead of suspicion?

In some situations, the words skepticism and suspicion are roughly equivalent. However, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

In what contexts can uncertainty take the place of suspicion?

The synonyms uncertainty and suspicion are sometimes interchangeable, but uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of suspicion
Noun
Collaboration, not suspicion, forms the foundation of health and healing. Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 Their outside perspective can provide valuable confirmation of your suspicions — or challenge your assumptions. 10. Cynthia Pong, CNBC, 5 May 2025 At the same time, there was mounting concern over the environmental and health implications of consuming animal products, and growing suspicion of big agriculture and the global food industry. HubSpot, 2 May 2025 But for everyone else, the problem of food fraud was so prevalent that people developed a suspicion of ground coffee, Blum says. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for suspicion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspicion
Noun
  • There is no doubt that not having to play the next day has its benefits.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
  • There is no doubt about Arsenal’s effectiveness on attacking corners, but even after the returns of Havertz and Gabriel, there will be areas to improve on the defensive side.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Scientists in Taiwan looking for a ninth planet in the solar system claim to have found hints of it in archive images of the night sky taken by long-dead infrared telescopes.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • More recently, the brand has ventured into makeup — infusing its bestsellers with hints of color and forging the way for the skinification of makeup.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • En route, Ellie tries to guess what the surprise might be, but comes up snake eyes.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 May 2025
  • Labeling the Menu Take a note from the hosts of yesteryear and don't leave guests guessing what's for dinner.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • The idea that some demonstrators were being compensated sparked wider skepticism.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 May 2025
  • Ziff, in spite of some family skepticism toward Margouleff and his scheme, agreed.
    Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The Truist Championship, though, provided a glimmer of analytical hope.
    Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • In the years since, Henricks and his team have taken those glimmers of potential and transformed them into a thriving organization.
    Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • In order to be approved for any of those products, a borrower needs a strong credit profile, and the willingness and ability to assume more debt.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • States like Florida could be forced to assume billions in costs for health care and disaster preparedness.
    Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Diorio said the increase was necessary to balance the budget amid federal cuts and economic uncertainty.
    Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025
  • Economists and real estate agents say a variety of factors are putting a lid on home prices, including high mortgage rates, rising inventory levels and economic uncertainty stemming from tariffs.
    Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The Stirling family expects that all video and audio footage along with every report and shred of evidence related to this deeply disturbing shooting be preserved for presentation in due course as part of the lawsuit the family will be pursuing.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 8 May 2025
  • The upshot: Not a shred of pink was seen at the Peter Rabbit themed affair.
    Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suspicion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspicion. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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