Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong.
There was a suspicion that this runner attempted to avoid the procedures for dopetesting.
The police said their suspicions were aroused because Mr Owens had other marks onhis body.
Scotland Yard had assured him he was not under suspicion.
... police arrested nineteen people on suspicion of burglary.
[Also + of]
2. variable noun
If there is suspicionof someone or something, people do not trust them or consider them to be reliable.
...the common British suspicion of psychotherapy. [+ of]
He may have had some suspicions of Michael Foster, the editor of the journal. [+ of]
I was always regarded in the Army with a certain amount of suspicion because of myleft-wing tendencies.
3. countable noun [oft NOUN that]
A suspicion is a feeling that something is probably true or is likely to happen.
I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to succeed.
Astronomers will have to collect more spectra from these stars to confirm their suspicions.
Synonyms: idea, notion, hunch, guess More Synonyms of suspicion
4. singular noun
A suspicionof something is a very small amount of it.
[written]
...large blooms of white with a suspicion of pale pink. [+ of]
Synonyms: trace, touch, hint, shadow More Synonyms of suspicion
5. to point the finger of suspicion
More Synonyms of suspicion
suspicion in British English
(səˈspɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act or an instance of suspecting; belief without sure proof, esp that something is wrong
2.
the feeling of mistrust of a person who suspects
3.
the state of being suspected
to be shielded from suspicion
4.
a slight trace
5. above suspicion
6. on suspicion
7. under suspicion
Derived forms
suspicional (susˈpicional)
adjective
suspicionless (susˈpicionless)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Old French sospeçon, from Latin suspīciō distrust, from suspicere to mistrust; see suspect
suspicion in American English
(səˈspɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act or an instance of suspecting guilt, a wrong, harmfulness, etc. with little or no supporting evidence
2.
the feeling or state of mind of a person who suspects
3.
a very small amount or degree; suggestion; inkling; trace
verb transitive US
4. Informal, Dialectal
to suspect
Idioms:
above suspicion
on suspicion
under suspicion
Word origin
ME suspecion < Anglo-Fr suspecioun < OFr sospeçon < LL suspectio, orig., a looking up to, esteeming, later with sense and sp. of L suspicio, suspicion < L suspectus, pp. of suspicere, to look up at, admire, look secretly at, mistrust, suspect
COBUILD Collocations
suspicion
arouse suspicion
confirm suspicions
deep suspicion
mutual suspicion
reasonable suspicion
sneaking suspicion
Examples of 'suspicion' in a sentence
suspicion
What she found confirmed her worst suspicions.
The Sun (2007)
The extra shopping may have raised suspicions.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Police will be called in if there is suspicion a criminal offence has occurred.
The Sun (2016)
To avoid suspicion she tried to pluck only hidden areas of her body.
The Sun (2013)
Our door staff will deal with situations when there is the slightest suspicion.
The Sun (2014)
They are still quizzing four people on suspicion of murder.
The Sun (2012)
We maintain a deep suspicion of men with better legs than us.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They were quizzed on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and have been bailed.
The Sun (2010)
So the manager is not exactly above suspicion.
The Sun (2009)
Two men were yesterday being quizzed by cops after being arrested on suspicion of burglary.
The Sun (2014)
They were held on suspicion of wasting police time.
The Sun (2011)
The find confirmed her suspicion that all was not well with our relationship with technology.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Tips on how to avoid arousing suspicion and telling relatives are also offered.
The Sun (2015)
He and two crew members have been arrested on suspicion of abandoning people in need.
The Sun (2014)
The mutual suspicion runs deeper than a theological dispute.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The man was held on suspicion of conspiracy to rob.
The Sun (2006)
You may have your suspicions as to who did it but that is insufficient to bring a claim.
The Sun (2015)
In fact there is more than a slight suspicion that scandal and controversy actually help to drive ratings.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Pictures of the family with Santa look identical so as not to arouse suspicion.
The Sun (2014)
The report will paint a picture of an organisation riven by infighting, mistrust and suspicion.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He had his suspicions that if something had happened, it happened there.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It's bound to arouse more suspicions about how real the audition process is.
The Sun (2014)
Inevitably, this has led to mistrust and suspicion.
The Sun (2008)
Quotations
Caesar's wife should be above suspicionJulius Caesar
There is no smoke without firePlautusCurculio
In other languages
suspicion
British English: suspicion NOUN
Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong.
Don't do anything that might cause suspicion.
American English: suspicion
Brazilian Portuguese: suspeita
Chinese: 怀疑
European Spanish: sospecha
French: soupçon
German: Verdacht
Italian: sospetto
Japanese: >容疑犯罪や不正の
Korean: 혐의
European Portuguese: suspeita
Latin American Spanish: sospecha
All related terms of 'suspicion'
on suspicion
as a suspect
above suspicion
in such a position that no guilt may be thought or implied , esp through having an unblemished reputation
deep suspicion
Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong .
under suspicion
regarded with distrust
arouse suspicion
Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong.
mutual suspicion
Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong .
sneaking suspicion
Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong .
reasonable suspicion
Suspicion or a suspicion is a belief or feeling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong .
to point the finger of suspicion point the finger of blame
To point the finger of suspicion or blame at someone means to make people suspect them of doing wrong or blame them for doing wrong.
Chinese translation of 'suspicion'
suspicion
(səsˈpɪʃən)
n
(c/u) (about crime, wrongdoing) 怀(懷)疑 (huáiyí)
(c/u) (= distrust) 怀(懷)疑 (huáiyí)
(c) (= idea) 模糊的想法 (móhu de xiǎngfǎ)
(s) (= trace, hint) 一点(點)儿(兒) (yīdiǎnr)
to be arrested on suspicion of murder因谋(謀)杀(殺)嫌疑被逮捕 (yīn móushā xiányí bèi dàibǔ)
to be under suspicion受到怀(懷)疑 (shòudào huáiyí)
1 (noun)
Definition
the act or an instance of suspecting
Police had suspicions that it was not a natural death.
Synonyms
feeling
I have a feeling that everything will come right for us.
theory
There is a theory that they met each other a few years ago.
impression
My impression is that they are totally out of control.
intuition
You can't make a case on intuitions, you know.
conjecture
surmise
funny feeling (informal)
presentiment
He had a presentiment of disaster.
2 (noun)
Definition
a feeling of mistrust
Our culture harbours deep suspicions of big-time industry.
Synonyms
distrust
an atmosphere of distrust
scepticism
The report has inevitably been greeted with scepticism.
mistrust
There was mutual mistrust between the two men.
doubt
Where there is doubt, may we bring faith.
misgiving
She had some misgivings about what she was about to do.
qualm
I had a sudden qualm that all might not be well.
lack of confidence
wariness
the group's obsessive wariness of outsiders
bad vibes (slang)
dubiety
chariness
3 (noun)
Definition
the act or an instance of suspecting
I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to succeed.
Synonyms
idea
I had an idea that he joined the army later.
notion
the notion that musical ability is present from birth
He has a realistic notion of his capabilities.
hunch
I had a hunch that we would work well together.
guess
My guess is that she's waiting for you to make the first move.
impression
conjecture
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
surmise
Her surmise proved correct.
gut feeling (informal)
supposition
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
4 (noun)
Definition
a slight trace
large blooms of white with a suspicion of pale pink
Synonyms
trace
Wash them in cold water to remove all traces of sand.
touch
She thought she might have a touch of flu.
hint
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
shadow
It was without a shadow of a doubt the best we've played.
suggestion
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
strain
There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.
shade
There was a shade of irony in her voice.
streak
He's still got a mean streak.
tinge
Could there have been a slight tinge of envy in her voice?
glimmer
Our last glimmer of hope faded.
soupçon (French)
phrase
See above suspicion
Quotations
Caesar's wife should be above suspicion [Julius Caesar]There is no smoke without fire [Plautus – Curculio]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of conjecture
Definition
a guess
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
Synonyms
guess,
theory,
fancy,
notion,
speculation,
assumption,
hypothesis,
inference,
presumption,
surmise,
theorizing,
guesswork,
supposition,
shot in the dark,
guesstimate (informal)
in the sense of doubt
Definition
uncertainty about the truth, facts, or existence of something
Where there is doubt, may we bring faith.
Synonyms
suspicion,
scepticism,
distrust,
questioning,
fear,
reservations,
cynicism,
disbelief,
apprehension,
mistrust,
misgivings,
disquiet,
qualms,
incredulity,
lack of faith,
misbelief
in the sense of dubiety
Synonyms
doubtfulness,
doubt,
uncertainty,
scepticism,
mistrust,
misgiving,
qualm,
indecision,
incertitude,
dubiosity
Synonyms of 'suspicion'
suspicion
Explore 'suspicion' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of glimmer
Definition
a faint indication
Our last glimmer of hope faded.
Synonyms
trace,
ray,
suggestion,
hint,
grain,
gleam,
flicker,
inkling
in the sense of guess
My guess is that she's waiting for you to make the first move.
Synonyms
supposition,
feeling,
idea,
theory,
notion,
suspicion,
hypothesis
in the sense of hint
Definition
a small amount
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
suggestion,
taste,
breath,
dash,
whisper,
suspicion,
tinge,
whiff,
speck,
undertone,
soupçon
in the sense of hunch
Definition
a feeling or suspicion not based on facts
I had a hunch that we would work well together.
Synonyms
feeling,
idea,
impression,
suspicion,
intuition,
premonition,
inkling,
presentiment
in the sense of impression
Definition
a vague idea or belief
My impression is that they are totally out of control.
Synonyms
idea,
feeling,
thought,
sense,
opinion,
view,
assessment,
judgment,
reaction,
belief,
concept,
fancy,
notion,
conviction,
suspicion,
hunch,
apprehension,
inkling,
funny feeling (informal)
in the sense of intuition
Definition
instinctive knowledge of or belief about something without conscious reasoning
You can't make a case on intuitions, you know.
Synonyms
feeling,
idea,
impression,
suspicion,
hunch,
premonition,
inkling,
presentiment
in the sense of misgiving
She had some misgivings about what she was about to do.
Synonyms
unease,
worry,
doubt,
anxiety,
suspicion,
uncertainty,
reservation,
hesitation,
distrust,
apprehension,
qualm,
trepidation (formal),
scruple,
dubiety
in the sense of mistrust
Definition
lack of trust
There was mutual mistrust between the two men.
Synonyms
suspicion,
scepticism,
distrust,
doubt,
uncertainty,
apprehension,
misgiving,
wariness,
dubiety
in the sense of notion
Definition
an idea or opinion
the notion that musical ability is present from birthHe has a realistic notion of his capabilities.
Synonyms
idea,
view,
opinion,
belief,
concept,
impression,
judgment,
sentiment,
conception,
apprehension,
inkling,
mental image or picture,
picture
in the sense of presentiment
Definition
a sense that something unpleasant is about to happen
He had a presentiment of disaster.
Synonyms
premonition,
feeling,
expectation,
anticipation,
fear,
forecast,
hunch,
intuition,
apprehension,
misgiving,
foreboding,
presage,
forethought
Additional synonyms
in the sense of qualm
Definition
a sudden sensation of misgiving
I had a sudden qualm that all might not be well.
Synonyms
misgiving,
doubt,
uneasiness,
regret,
anxiety,
uncertainty,
reluctance,
hesitation,
remorse,
apprehension,
disquiet,
scruple,
compunction,
twinge or pang of conscience
in the sense of scepticism
The report has inevitably been greeted with scepticism.
Synonyms
doubt,
suspicion,
disbelief,
cynicism,
incredulity,
Pyrrhonism
in the sense of shade
Definition
a slight amount
There was a shade of irony in her voice.
Synonyms
dash,
trace,
hint,
suggestion,
suspicion,
small amount,
semblance
in the sense of shadow
Definition
a hint or faint trace
It was without a shadow of a doubt the best we've played.
Synonyms
trace,
suggestion,
hint,
suspicion,
touch,
tinge,
whiff,
jot,
soupçon
in the sense of strain
Definition
a trace or streak
There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.
Synonyms
trace,
suggestion,
suspicion,
tendency,
streak,
trait
in the sense of streak
Definition
a quality or characteristic
He's still got a mean streak.
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
element,
strain,
dash,
vein
in the sense of suggestion
that fashionably faint suggestion of a tan
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
hint,
shadow,
impression,
breath,
indication,
whisper,
suspicion,
ghost,
intimation
in the sense of supposition
Definition
an idea or a statement believed or assumed to be true
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
Synonyms
belief,
idea,
notion,
view,
theory,
speculation,
assumption,
hypothesis,
presumption,
conjecture,
postulate,
surmise,
guesswork,
guess
in the sense of surmise
Definition
a conclusion based on incomplete or uncertain evidence
Her surmise proved correct.
Synonyms
guess,
speculation,
assumption,
thought,
idea,
conclusion,
notion,
suspicion,
hypothesis,
deduction,
inference,
presumption,
conjecture,
supposition
in the sense of theory
Definition
an idea or opinion
There is a theory that they met each other a few years ago.
Synonyms
belief,
feeling,
speculation,
assumption,
guess,
hunch,
presumption,
conjecture,
surmise,
supposition
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tinge
Definition
a very small amount
Could there have been a slight tinge of envy in her voice?