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suspectto believe that someone is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing without having proof

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to believe that someone is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing without having proof

Pronunciation (IPA): /səˈspekt/

Example Sentences

  • I suspect my cat is plotting world domination because it stares at me while I sleep.
  • The police are questioning three suspects in connection with the bank robbery.
  • Her story about meeting aliens sounds rather suspect.

suspect

VERB

[/səˈspekt/]

to believe that someone is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing without having proof

Detectives suspect the butler after finding his glove near the crime scene.
💡 Concept

Detectives suspect the butler after finding his glove near the crime scene.

I suspect, but inspect with respect.
🎵 Rhyme

I suspect, but inspect with respect.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/səˈspekt/
🇬🇧 UK/səˈspekt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixsus--
Rootspect

Origin

From Latin 'suspectus', past participle of 'suspicere', meaning 'to look up at' or 'to mistrust'. The word combines 'sub-' (under) and 'specere' (to look), literally meaning 'to look at from under', which evolved to mean 'to regard with suspicion'.

Breakdown

sus- (under) + spect (look) + -ed (past participle) = suspect (one who is regarded with suspicion or believed to be guilty)

🎵Rhyme

respectaspectinspectperfect
respect
aspect
inspect
perfect

🔗Collocations

prime suspect
suspect someone of
highly suspect
arrest a suspect
suspect motives
under suspicion

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

I suspect my cat is plotting world domination because it stares at me while I sleep.

The police are questioning three suspects in connection with the bank robbery.

😄 Fun example

Her story about meeting aliens sounds rather suspect.

I suspect there will be heavy traffic during rush hour.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

doubtmistrustdistrustquestionaccused

Antonyms

trustbelievecertain

Related

suspicionsuspiciousdetectiveinvestigationevidence

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