suspect Hear it!

suspect Definition

sus·pect (sə spekt′; for adj. usually, & for n. always, sus′pekt′)

transitive verb

  1. to believe (someone) to be guilty of something specified, on little or no evidence
  2. to believe to be bad, wrong, harmful, questionable, etc.; distrust
  3. to think it probable or likely; guess; surmise; suppose

Etymology: LME suspecten < L suspectus, pp. of suspicere, to look under, look up to, admire, also to mistrust < sus- (see sub-), under + spicere, to look (see spy)

intransitive verb

to be suspicious; have suspicion

adjective

viewed with suspicion; suspected

noun

a person who is suspected, esp. one suspected of a crime, etc.

suspect Synonyms

suspect

modif.

dubious, questionable, suspected; see suspicious 2, unlikely.

suspect Synonyms

suspect

v.

  1. To doubt someone

    distrust, disbelieve, mistrust; see doubt 2.

  2. To suppose

    presume, surmise, speculate; see assume 1.

suspect Synonyms

suspect

n.

the accused, defendant, prisoner, alleged perpetrator.

suspect Law Definition

n

A person believed to have committed a crime and who is, therefore, being investigated by the police.

v

Having a slight belief or a vague idea but not a knowledge that something happened or that someone did something.

suspect Usage Examples

Object

  • fraud: Introduction We will investigate any situation where we suspect serious tax fraud.
  • carcinogen: Some of these have marked irritant properties and some 60 are known or suspected carcinogens ( cancer causing substances ).
  • someone: Do you have to act if you suspect someone of plagiarism?
  • terrorist: MI5 is looking to weed out all suspected terrorists within the Chelsea fandom.
  • meningitis: If you suspect meningitis you must seek urgent medical assistance.
  • leak: If you suspect a gas leak: Turn off all appliances and the main cylinder valve.

Converse of object

  • arrest: Chief Inspector Edward Greeno, who was heading the inquiry into Miriam's murder, was notified of the arrested suspect 's description.
  • deport: Amnesty International have attacked the UK because of deals the government have made with various countries which allow them to deport terror suspects.
  • imprison: Currently there are 11 suspects imprisoned under this provision.
  • convict: New legislation enabled the Force to use DNA as evidence, instead of relying on direct evidence in order to convict a suspect.

Adjective modifier

  • usual: The usual suspects were joined by Nick Gibson on Drums.
  • terrorist: These measures of course apply to everyone in the UK, not just terrorist suspects.
  • prime: His partner and close friend, Ron, is prime suspect in the slaying of his ex-wife and Beau's barred from the investigation.
  • chief: Big trouble: he's actually their chief suspect.

Noun used with modifier

  • terror: Use more control orders against British terror suspects, who cannot be deported Oh goody - house arrest for everyone.
  • terrorism: He was told that he had the same name as a number of terrorism suspects.

Used with why or when

that: I suspect that may be why fate is bringing him into your life.

Preposition: in

custody: The Spanish Government is uncovering evidence of linkages between suspects in custody and the perpetrators of the 16 May 2003 Casablanca bombings.

Preposition: of

  • terrorism: The orders are imposed on people suspected of terrorism but where there is not enough evidence to go to court.
  • involvement: The RSPCA has collated intelligence on 4,000 individuals suspected of involvement in the practice.