Word family noun suspect suspicion adjective suspect suspected unsuspecting suspicious verb suspect adverb suspiciously
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsuspicionsus‧pi‧cion /səˈspɪʃən/ ●●○ noun 1 [countable, uncountable]SUSPECT a feeling you have that someone is probably guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest I can’t say for definite who did it, but I certainly have my suspicions. Police suspicions were confirmed when the stolen property was found in his flat. I wondered how I could leave early without arousing anyone’s suspicions.on suspicion of (doing) something She was arrested on suspicion of murder.under suspicion He felt he was still under suspicion. Mitchell later came under suspicion of assaulting two young girls.above/beyond suspicion She felt that she ought to be above suspicion (=so honest that no one could think that she had done anything wrong).2 [countable, uncountable]TRUST# a feeling that you do not trust someone She always treated us with suspicion. People moving into the area are often regarded with suspicion.3 [countable]BELIEVE a feeling you have that something is true, especially something badsuspicion (that) I have a suspicion that the local authority may be planning to close the school. She was left with a sneaking suspicion (=a small suspicion) that Steven was not telling the truth.4 → a suspicion of somethingCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a feeling you have that someone is probably guilty of doing something wrong or dishonestverbshave your suspicionsMany of us had our suspicions, but we couldn't prove anything.confirm somebody's suspicions (=show that someone's suspicions were right)The letter confirmed my suspicions.arouse suspicion (=make people think that someone has done something wrong)How was he able to kill his victims without arousing suspicion?raise suspicions (=make people think that someone has done something wrong)That fact immediately raised suspicions of Johnson's involvement in the incident.be/come under suspicion (=be thought to have probably done something wrong)He was still under suspicion of fraud.allay suspicion formal (=make people stop having suspicions)She had to allay their suspicions and stop them probing any further.divert suspicion (=make people have suspicions about someone else)He started the rumour to divert suspicion from himself.suspicion falls on somebodySuspicion fell on Jenkins who had been seen near the scene of the crime.phrasesgrounds for suspicion (=reasons for suspicion)Police can stop and search you if they have good grounds for suspicion.be above/beyond suspicion (=be so honest that you are never thought to have done something wrong)He regarded his friend Henry as being above suspicion. COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 3: a feeling you have that something is true, especially something badverbshave a suspicionI have a suspicion that he forgot to post the letter.suspicion grewSuspicion grew that the business was about to collapse.adjectivesa strong suspicionShe had a strong suspicion he was laughing at her.a sneaking suspicion (=a small suspicion)We have a sneaking suspicion they're trying to put together a deal.a nasty/awful suspicionSuddenly I had a nasty suspicion that the boss was going to make me redundant.the slightest suspicionDaniel never had the slightest suspicion of how she really felt.a nagging suspicion (=one that you have all the time)I had a nagging suspicion that Colin wasn't telling me the whole truth. Examples from the Corpus
suspicion• When I ask about Gerald, Susan's usually kind face clouded with fear and suspicion.• The money was taken out of the bank in small amounts so as not to arouse suspicion.• The timing of his trip aroused suspicion among his government colleagues.• One bilious attack would have been passed over as something that could happen to anyone; but two aroused suspicion.• She had always had a deep suspicion of journalists and reporters.• ''What's that behind your back?'', Maria said with a look of deep suspicion.• Also interested in Rose's financial position would be her husband and - if his suspicions were correct - Hilary Seymour-Strachey.• In other countries, however, suspicions persist that the weapons and the paramilitary training were put to illegal use.• That was what she was doing, going along, arousing no suspicion in Brimmer or anyone at the office.• He's been arrested on suspicion of murder.• They were being held without bail on suspicion of conspiracy, possession of explosive devices and burglary.• I had no solid evidence, only vague suspicions.• There were suspicions about the role that Conservative Central Office played in orchestrating some of these manoeuvres.• A wise suspicion is that such a fate awaits any treaty containing grandiose reductions or harsh enforcement penalties.• Terry's grandmother looked at me with suspicion and demanded, "Who's this?"• As Lutherans, we viewed pleasure with suspicion.above/beyond suspicion• You must be above suspicion of any impropriety.• They seemed perfect credentials for a man beyond suspicion, Perfect credentials.• There were still rumours that the Caldecott business methods were not above suspicion, but he became part of the establishment.• Could you swear to me every one of your circle's above suspicion?regarded with suspicion• Any answer that is not basically a selfish one should be regarded with suspicion.• All pointed snails should be regarded with suspicion as they have a liking for the foliage of aquatic plants.• Sole practitioners are increasingly regarded with suspicion from officials armed with the latest statistics from the Disciplinary Tribunal.• Francis wasn't wrong, but change is regarded with suspicion, nowhere more than in football.• But there were others too, some drawn from that old left milieu regarded with suspicion by Miles.sneaking suspicion• She had a sneaking suspicion that she knew why the men had not given up their seats.• All he had was a sneaking suspicion that everything was wrong.• I have the sneaking suspicion, fuelled by the clothes my parents packed, that they knew anyway.Origin suspicion (1200-1300) Latin suspicio, from suspicere; → SUSPECT1 