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suspense definition

sus·pense (sə spens′)

noun

  1. the state of being undecided or undetermined
  2. a state of usually anxious uncertainty, as in awaiting a decision
  3. the growing interest and excitement felt while awaiting a climax or resolution, as of a novel, play, series of events, etc.
  4. Rare suspension or interruption, as of a legal right

Etymology: ME < MFr suspens, suspense, delay, deferring < ML suspensum < L suspensus, suspended, uncertain, lit., hung up, pp. of suspendere, to suspend

Related Forms:

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

suspense Synonyms

suspense

n.

  1. Uncertainty

    apprehension, indecisiveness, dilemma; see doubt 2.

  2. Perplexity

    indecision, hesitancy, hesitation, anxiety; see confusion 2, uncertainty 3.


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.

suspense Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • heighten: Perhaps it's purpose is to create suspicion to heighten suspense.

Adjective modifier

  • psychological: He also constructed an amazing level of psychological suspense from very simple stories.

Modifies a noun

  • thriller: Second, who wants to wait over a year for the outcome of a suspense thriller?

Noun used with modifier

  • live-action: Satoshi Kon's PERFECT BLUE was directed ( and publicized ) as tho it was a Hitchcockian live-action suspense feature.
suspense 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.

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MLA Style

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

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

APA Style

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

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

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