SUSPICION Synonyms: 212 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

suspicion 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈspi-shən

Definition of suspicion

as in doubt

a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something all his promises were received with well-deserved suspicion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hint

a very small amount new parents who were alarmed by just a suspicion of a rash on their baby's chest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

suspicion

2 of 2

verb

chiefly dialect

as in to guess

to form an opinion from little or no evidence no one will ever suspicion that I'm the one who pulled the prank

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Ensure the owner reviews exceptions monthly; visibility, not suspicion, becomes the habit. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 In the meantime, the case is already raising suspicions that the Saudi Arabian government may have been involved. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026 He was charged with assault, suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026 Her mother drank from the water bottle and realized there was a sour taste, sparking suspicions her water was being tampered with. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suspicion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspicion

Noun

The moonshot idea of putting AI data centers into outer space just moved one step closer to reality, despite doubts about its feasibility.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
The last thing this young and impressionable Dolphins squad needs is to have doubts that the progress being made, the foundation being laid, is faulty, and fragile.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

Gone are the beer bashes, the thrill of invention and any hint that Zuckerberg lusted for something — women, attention, clout — other than a quarterly earnings report.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
However, the document didn't give any clear hints as to when exactly policymakers thought that hike could come.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of hint

Verb

So two games into the National League Championship Series, guess which team’s relief corps has been lights out and which one has been lit up?

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Police did not specify which roller coaster was involved in the incident, but CBS News Atlanta cameras saw that the park's Goliath ride was shut down, and guess were being evacuated.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of guess

Noun

Of the 13 most competitive Senate races, seven Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the agreement that is unlikely to significantly affect high diesel costs contributing to broader inflation.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Leaning into many voters’ skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers, Biss has also put forward a multipart plan to regulate the industry.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of skepticism

Noun

Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity.

— Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Viewers get only glimmers of the characters’ personalities and backgrounds, but the show offers enough detail and texture to understand how Season 1 might unfold.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of glimmer

Noun

Luxury’s financial uncertainty and fashion’s changing cultural reach are part of the picture, but so is audience fatigue.

— Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Her final season began with uncertainty over whether labor negotiations would disrupt the league’s schedule.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncertainty

Noun

There’s yet to be a shred of evidence that Belichick can build and guide North Carolina’s roster into the kind of behemoth that can go on the road in the ACC, play poorly and win by double digits while barely being threatened with a loss.

— David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Without a shred of evidence, Cloud casually weaponized domestic violence allegations against a fan who was simply cheering for his home team.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of shred

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suspensions

suspicion

suspicioned

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“Suspicion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspicion. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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noun

verb

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What does 'sus' mean?

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