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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.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

law suspect definition - legal

suspect Synonyms

suspect

modif.

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


suspect

v.

  1. To doubt someone

    distrust, disbelieve, mistrust; see doubt 2.

  2. To suppose

    presume, surmise, speculate; see assume 1.


suspect

n.

the accused, defendant, prisoner, alleged perpetrator.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

suspect Usage Examples

Object

  • fraud: Introduction We will investigate any situation where we suspect serious tax fraud.

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.

Adjective modifier

  • usual: The usual suspects were joined by Nick Gibson on Drums.

Noun used with modifier

  • terror: Use more control orders against British terror suspects, who cannot be deported Oh goody - house arrest for everyone.

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.
suspect usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

suspect quotes

There is nothing makes a man suspect much, more than to know little.

-Bacon, Francis,Viscount St Albans

It isthespirit of theageto believethat any fact, no matter how suspect, is superior to any imaginative exercise, no matter how true.

-Vidal, Gore originally Eugene Luther Vidal,Jr

suspect quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"suspect." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/suspect>

APA Style

suspect. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/suspect

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