suspicion 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈspi-shən How to pronounce suspicion (audio)
Definition of suspicionnext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
There are suspicions and revelations. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026 In 2021, six Black farmworkers in Sunflower County, an hour northeast of the Nelson-King Farms, filed a federal lawsuit that seemed to confirm the worst suspicions about the South Africans’ presence. —Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026 Zoldan added there was no noticeable tension or anything that would raise suspicion for employees. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026 Haunted by a nagging suspicion that something isn’t adding up in regards to his cousin Ben’s death. —Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suspicion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspicion
  1. doubt
  2. hint
  3. guess
  4. skepticism
  5. glimmer
  6. assume
  7. uncertainty
  8. shred
Noun
  • Nmecha holds back, posing doubt for Sanchez and a narrow window for his pass out.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Still, there’s little doubt that expectations around AI are factoring into chief executives’ more frequent departures in one way or another.
    — Claire Zillman, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of doubt
Noun
  • Is this another hint for the new album?
    — Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The detection of these molecules in an asteroid hints that they can be formed without the presence of life, and may offer clues into how these compounds could be transported across the solar system.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 17 Mar. 2026
Definition of hint
Verb
  • Ken Jeong guessed another TV judge, Steve Harvey.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Onstage, contestants competed for prizes by trying to guess their exact retail value, a simple premise that quickly became a television sensation.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of guess
Noun
  • But that skepticism served as fuel for some Horned Frogs like leading scorer David Punch.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s military leadership showed little interest in drone technology and treated it with skepticism, said Yaroslav Honchar, co-founder of drone innovation nonprofit Aerorozvidka.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of skepticism
Noun
  • Yet by the end of Saturday night, there were slight glimmers of optimism for a team that hasn’t had much to cheer for this season.
    — Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2026
  • There is also a glimmer of hope on the horizon that an infusion of payroll flexibility could come under a new owner — who could be in place sometime in the season’s first month — and that the Padres could add a starting pitcher via trade.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of glimmer
Verb
  • This assumes the ability to accelerate exports to more than 7 million barrels a day in the second half of the year, alongside higher payments from Aramco due to elevated crude prices.
    — Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Many people would assume the email must be legitimate.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of assume
Noun
  • Meteorologists did their job but the alarm got carried away, highlighting the need for better communication of uncertainty.
    — Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The start of the fifth season brings a mixture of excitement and uncertainty to Angel City FC, with this being the first full season under Straus, who officially took over last June.
    — Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of uncertainty
Noun
  • Anyone with a shred of empathy would have a hard time understanding why a person would ever do this.
    — Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The offerings are pure Tennessee, with not a shred of brisket to be found.
    — Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of shred

Browse Nearby Words

suspensions
suspicion
suspicioned
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Cite this Entry

“Suspicion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspicion. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on suspicion

Nglish: Translation of suspicion for Spanish Speakers

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