suspect1 verbsuspect2 nounsuspect3 adjective
suspectsus‧pect1 /səˈspekt/ ●●○ W3 verb [transitive] 
WORD ORIGINsuspect1
Origin:
1400-1500 Latin suspectare, from the past participle of suspicere ‘to look up at, admire, distrust’, from sub- ‘up, secretly’ + specere ‘to look at’VERB TABLE
suspect
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | suspect |
| he, she, it | suspects | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | suspected |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have suspected |
| he, she, it | has suspected | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had suspected |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will suspect |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have suspected |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A man has been found dead in his home and the police suspect foul play.
- Act naturally and no one will suspect you.
- Although they were in the area on the day of the robbery, no one suspected them.
- As we suspected, there is a problem with the braking system, and it will be replaced.
- Both men had originally been suspected of Brown's murder.
- He had suspected her of lying for some time.
- I suspect that he never really loved her.
- No one suspected anything was wrong.
- We eventually began to suspect his loyalty.
- He suspected Hubert had erred in some way, but did not care to ask.
- He was twice imprisoned when his loyalties were suspected.
- Her hair was so smoothly sculpted, I suspected a wig.
- Make sure you go to see your doctor as soon as you suspect you are pregnant.
- Many suspect that retroactive tax cuts could be ditched.
- What we suspect is the Bullets are better than their record indicates and will reveal that as the season wears on.
Longman Language Activatorto think that someone has done something wrong
to think that someone is probably guilty of something illegal or dishonest: · Act naturally and no one will suspect you.suspect somebody of (doing) something: · He had suspected her of lying for some time.· Both men had originally been suspected of Brown's murder.suspect murder/foul play (=suspect that there has been a murder): · A man has been found dead in his home and the police suspect foul play.
thinking that someone might be guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest, without being sure: · I started to get suspicious when I found a hotel bill in Sarah's pocket.suspicious of: · The police were suspicious of Simpson because his story did not quite make sense.suspicious about: · His employer became suspicious about the amount of money he was claiming for expenses.suspicious mind: · You have a very suspicious mind, Mary. No, I had nothing to do with this.
a feeling that someone is probably guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest: · I had no solid evidence, only vague suspicions.suspicion of: · She had always had a deep suspicion of journalists and reporters.deep suspicion: · ''What's that behind your back?'', Maria said with a look of deep suspicion.arouse/cause suspicion (=make people suspect you): · The money was taken out of the bank in small amounts so as not to arouse suspicion.on suspicion of murder/theft etc (=because the police suspect you are guilty of murder etc): · He's been arrested on suspicion of murder.
to have a slight feeling that someone has done something wrong, without having any definite information: have a sneaking suspicion that: · I had a sneaking suspicion that my agent was not telling me the truth.
to think you probably know who did something wrong: · I don't know for definite who stole the money, but I have my suspicions.
informal to guess that someone is doing something bad or dishonest, even though you do not know exactly what it is: · We started to smell a rat when they asked for an extra £500 deposit.
when something makes you suspect someone · We thought his behaviour was suspicious and called the police immediately.· There was a suspicious silence as I opened the door.· The public have been asked to report anything suspicious at once.in suspicious circumstances · A full murder inquiry was launched after the company chairman died in suspicious circumstances.
informal something that is fishy or sounds fishy makes you suspect that something bad or dishonest is being done: · Frank said there was nothing to worry about, but it all sounded very fishy to me.· There's something fishy about this business, if you ask me.
also dodgy British informal shady deals and other activities seem to have something dishonest or illegal about them. A shady person is someone who seems likely to be involved in dishonest or illegal activities: · We'd suspected for a while she was involved in something a bit shady.· He has been mixed up in a number of shady deals in the City.· His acceptance of a huge loan from a shady businessman looks suspicious to say the least.
someone who is suspected of doing something wrong someone who the police believe may have done something illegal: · The police now have another name to add to their list of suspects.prime/chief suspect (=the person that the police suspect more than anyone else): · A 32-year-old man from London is the prime suspect in the murder investigation.murder/rape etc suspect (=a person suspected of a particular crime): · The murder suspect is in custody and will be charged soon.
: suspected criminal/terrorist/ spy etc someone who the police or government believe is a criminal: · He was attacked at his home after confronting a suspected burglar.· They have succeeded in bringing many suspected terrorists to justice.· All opponents or suspected opponents of the military government are being detained.
if someone is under suspicion , people believe they may have done something illegal or dishonest: · Crates of whisky have been disappearing from the warehouse and a member of staff is under suspicion.
what you say when you expect something to happen especially British /I guess especially American · Hasn't Tony arrived yet? He'll be here soon, I expect.I expect (that) · I expect your mother will be overjoyed when she hears you're having a baby.I expect/guess so · "Is Alan going to drive tonight?" "Yeah, I guess so."
informal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of what you know about someone or about the way things usually happen. I bet is more common than my bet is: I bet/my bet is (that): · I bet you'll miss your boyfriend when you go away for college.· Sandra says she's never going to have any children, but my bet is she has at least three.
use this when you have a feeling that something is going to happen, especially something bad or unpleasant: · You'll find Rick's parents rather hard to talk to, I suspect.I suspect (that): · I suspect that 10 years after the book is published, nobody will even remember the name of the author.
especially British also I should think British use this when you think something is likely to happen although you are not really sure: · It'll be cooler down by the lake, I would think.I would think (that): · I should think Sarah and Greg will be going to the party.I would/should think so: · "Will you have finished work by 6.30?'' "Oh yes, I should think so.''
say this when you think something may happen, even though other people think it is unlikely: · "Do you think they'll get married?" "I wouldn't be surprised."I wouldn't be surprised if: · You know, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the top executives lose their jobs.
formal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of information that you have: · My expectation is that the two companies will eventually come to an agreement.
to think that something is true, but not be sure to think something is true, but you are not completely sure. Believe is more formal than think: think/believe (that): · I think Jill moved to the new house last week.· "Is it painted?" "No, I think it's a mosaic."I think so/I believe so (=say this to answer "yes" to a questions when you are fairly sure that something is true): · "Has James gone home?" "Yes, I think so."
to think that something is true, although you have no proof: · You shouldn't just assume things without getting all the facts.assume (that): · I just assumed that the woman standing next to Jack was his wife.· We assume that other industrialized nations are going to help with money for food and other supplies.we can safely assume (=it is reasonably certain): · I think we can safely assume that the practice is legal.
something that you think is true although you have no proof: · Yes the Socialists will probably win -- that seems a fair assumption.make the assumption that: · At that time we had to make the assumption that the disease was spreading and take action to stop it.on the assumption that: · Eden acted on the assumption that his allies would support him.
to wrongly believe that something is true, because of something you have heard or seen: · I was under the impression that you couldn't get a parking ticket on private property.be under the mistaken impression (that): · The average American is under the mistaken impression that wildlife refuges have been set up to protect animals.
to think that something is probably true, especially something bad: suspect (that): · I suspect that he never really loved her.· No one suspected anything was wrong.as somebody suspected: · As we suspected, there is a problem with the braking system, and it will be replaced.
to feel sure that something is true because of information that you have, although there is always some possibility that you are wrong: believe (that): · Police believe that the money was stolen by a gang of youths.believe somebody to be capable/honest/a fool etc: · I had always believed Catherine to be absolutely honest in money matters.firmly believe: · Both sides firmly believe that a peace settlement is now possible.
to be fairly sure of something, especially because you have a good reason to think so, although you have no proof: presume (that): · The committee presumed that its decisions would be carried out.presume somebody/something to be somebody/something: · Many scientists presumed the new damage to the forests to be the result of higher levels of pollution.be presumed innocent/dead/responsible etc: · The defendant is presumed innocent until proved guilty.
if you say something presumably is a fact, you think it must be true because of the information you have: · Several of the villagers disappeared, presumably killed by enemy soldiers.· The audience hears the word so many times during the play that presumably they learn what it means if they didn't already know.
to think that something is probably true, especially because of some information you have - use this in written or formal contexts: suppose (that): · We have no reason to suppose that the girl is dead.· There are many reasons to suppose that Shakespeare was familiar with the stories of medieval Italy.
to be sure that something is true without ever asking yourself whether you are right or not: · I never asked if she was single - I just took it for granted.take it for granted (that): · I took if for granted that Steven would still be working for us when the new project started.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
She strongly suspected he was lying to her. She’s not going to be very happy about this, I suspect. The position of the body led the police to suspect murder. He never suspected anything.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The police said they had no reason to suspect foul play. He was named as the prime suspect in the murder investigation.
She strongly suspected he was lying to her. She’s not going to be very happy about this, I suspect. The position of the body led the police to suspect murder. He never suspected anything. The police said they had no reason to suspect foul play. (=think that someone might have selfish or dishonest reasons for doing something)· They began to question the motives of the people who held positions of power.
He was named as the prime suspect in the murder investigation.· Coalition forces killed at least 20 suspected terrorists.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· It confirmed, and I had long suspected as much, that bream do in fact have a leader.· Democrats have long suspected that, way down deep, they are Volvo Republicans.· Cytogeneticists have long suspected that these chromosomal anomalies are linked with cancer, but only now has their message been deciphered.· This came as no surprise to Dee Dee, our all-purpose advice columnist, who has long suspected the link.· Scientists have long suspected that the meteorites they have collected on Earth include chunks of asteroids.
· But Cassie strongly suspected that Johnny would have got there in the end, without any help from Bella.· He could not explain the bloodstains on his trousers, but he strongly suspected them to be rabbit's blood.· Strongly suspecting that some one was hiding.· Though Dawson may not have masterminded this sophisticated and influential forgery, his complicity in the affair was strongly suspected.· I fear, I strongly suspect, that this is the route to blowing yourself away.· I strongly suspect the limits are set by social empathy in interactions with animals.
NOUN· Oliver asked Cobalt whether Barbara Coleman had not told him she suspected Joseph of murder.· Dickie would be suspected of murder.· Both had originally been suspected of his murder.· Sybil had never even set eyes on Rodney so they couldn't possibly suspect him of her murder, now could they?· Of all Elinor's friends he was the least likely to be suspected of her murder.
WORD FAMILYadjectivesuspectsuspectedunsuspectingsuspiciousnounsuspectsuspicionverbsuspectadverbsuspiciously
1to think that something is probably true, especially something badsuspect (that) I suspected that there was something wrong with the engine. She strongly suspected he was lying to her. She’s not going to be very happy about this, I suspect.2to think that something bad has happened or is happening: The doctors suspected pneumonia.suspect murder/foul play The position of the body led the police to suspect murder.suspect something/nothing/anything He never suspected anything.3to think that someone is probably guilty of a crime: Who do you suspect?suspect somebody of (doing) something He’s suspected of murder. Pilcher was suspected of giving away government secrets to the enemy.4to think that something is not honest or true: I began to suspect his motives in inviting me.GRAMMARPatterns with suspect• You suspect that someone does, did, or has done something: · I suspect she knows.· I suspect he took the money.· I suspect they have met before.• You suspect that something may or might be true: · We suspect that he may know something about the robbery.· The police suspect that he might be a terrorist.• You suspect that someone may or might have done something: · Police suspect Foster may have been involved in a fraud.· I suspect he might have exaggerated a lot of the things in the book.• You suspected that something would happen: · He suspected that the problem would only get worse.· I suspected that I would not enjoy the meeting.• In all the above patterns, ‘that’ is optional. You can say I suspect that or just I suspect.Using the progressiveSuspect is not used in the progressive. You say: · I suspect he’s lying. ✗Don’t say: I am suspecting he’s lying.suspect1 verbsuspect2 nounsuspect3 adjective
suspectsus‧pect2 /ˈsʌspekt/ ●○○ noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A 32-year-old man from London is the prime suspect in the murder investigation.
- The murder suspect is in custody and will be charged soon.
- The police now have another name to add to their list of suspects.
- He would be the obvious suspect.
- I keep eliminating people from my list and will soon have no suspects left.
- If witnesses and suspects are interviewed by state workers and evidence is handled, a criminal investigation would be hampered.
- Not only did they have no suspects, they could not even identify the boy.
- Two suspects have been held. -Reuter.
Longman Language Activatorto think that someone has done something wrong
to think that someone is probably guilty of something illegal or dishonest: · Act naturally and no one will suspect you.suspect somebody of (doing) something: · He had suspected her of lying for some time.· Both men had originally been suspected of Brown's murder.suspect murder/foul play (=suspect that there has been a murder): · A man has been found dead in his home and the police suspect foul play.
thinking that someone might be guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest, without being sure: · I started to get suspicious when I found a hotel bill in Sarah's pocket.suspicious of: · The police were suspicious of Simpson because his story did not quite make sense.suspicious about: · His employer became suspicious about the amount of money he was claiming for expenses.suspicious mind: · You have a very suspicious mind, Mary. No, I had nothing to do with this.
a feeling that someone is probably guilty of doing something wrong or dishonest: · I had no solid evidence, only vague suspicions.suspicion of: · She had always had a deep suspicion of journalists and reporters.deep suspicion: · ''What's that behind your back?'', Maria said with a look of deep suspicion.arouse/cause suspicion (=make people suspect you): · The money was taken out of the bank in small amounts so as not to arouse suspicion.on suspicion of murder/theft etc (=because the police suspect you are guilty of murder etc): · He's been arrested on suspicion of murder.
to have a slight feeling that someone has done something wrong, without having any definite information: have a sneaking suspicion that: · I had a sneaking suspicion that my agent was not telling me the truth.
to think you probably know who did something wrong: · I don't know for definite who stole the money, but I have my suspicions.
informal to guess that someone is doing something bad or dishonest, even though you do not know exactly what it is: · We started to smell a rat when they asked for an extra £500 deposit.
when something makes you suspect someone · We thought his behaviour was suspicious and called the police immediately.· There was a suspicious silence as I opened the door.· The public have been asked to report anything suspicious at once.in suspicious circumstances · A full murder inquiry was launched after the company chairman died in suspicious circumstances.
informal something that is fishy or sounds fishy makes you suspect that something bad or dishonest is being done: · Frank said there was nothing to worry about, but it all sounded very fishy to me.· There's something fishy about this business, if you ask me.
also dodgy British informal shady deals and other activities seem to have something dishonest or illegal about them. A shady person is someone who seems likely to be involved in dishonest or illegal activities: · We'd suspected for a while she was involved in something a bit shady.· He has been mixed up in a number of shady deals in the City.· His acceptance of a huge loan from a shady businessman looks suspicious to say the least.
someone who is suspected of doing something wrong someone who the police believe may have done something illegal: · The police now have another name to add to their list of suspects.prime/chief suspect (=the person that the police suspect more than anyone else): · A 32-year-old man from London is the prime suspect in the murder investigation.murder/rape etc suspect (=a person suspected of a particular crime): · The murder suspect is in custody and will be charged soon.
: suspected criminal/terrorist/ spy etc someone who the police or government believe is a criminal: · He was attacked at his home after confronting a suspected burglar.· They have succeeded in bringing many suspected terrorists to justice.· All opponents or suspected opponents of the military government are being detained.
if someone is under suspicion , people believe they may have done something illegal or dishonest: · Crates of whisky have been disappearing from the warehouse and a member of staff is under suspicion.
WORD SETSabet, verbaccusation, nounaccuse, verbaffray, nounarson, nounassault, nounassault and battery, nounbackhander, nounbattery, nounbigamy, nounblack market, nounblack marketeer, nounbreak-in, nounbreaking and entering, nouncaper, nouncapital, adjectivecarjacking, nouncat burglar, nouncontract, nouncosh, nouncounterfeit, adjectivecounterfeit, verbcover, nouncrack, verbcriminal, adjectivecriminal, nouncriminal law, nouncriminal record, nouncriminology, nouncrook, nounculpable, adjectiveculprit, noundefamation, noundefraud, verbdelinquency, noundelinquent, adjectivedelinquent, noundesperado, noundisorderly, adjectivedrug baron, noundrug runner, nounDUI, nounembezzle, verbexpropriate, verbextort, verbeyewitness, nounfelon, nounfelony, nounfence, nounfiddle, nounfiddle, verbfiddler, nounfilch, verbfinger, verbfire-raising, nounfirst offender, nounflash, verbflasher, nounforge, verbforger, nounforgery, nounfoul play, nounframe, verbframe-up, nounfratricide, nounfraud, nounfreebooter, noungang, noungang-bang, noungang rape, noungangster, nounGBH, noungenocide, noungetaway, noungodfather, noungrand larceny, noungrass, noungrievous bodily harm, nounheist, nounhijack, verbhijack, nounhijacking, nounhit, nounhit-and-run, adjectivehit man, nounincriminate, verbindecent assault, nounindecent exposure, nouninfanticide, nounjob, nounjoyriding, nounjuvenile delinquent, nounkidnap, verblarceny, nounlibel, nounlibel, verblibellous, adjectivelow life, nounmafioso, nounmalpractice, nounmanslaughter, nounmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatricide, nounmisappropriate, verbmisconduct, nounmisdeed, nounmisdemeanour, nounmobster, nounmoll, nounmug, verbmugshot, nounmurder, nounmurder, verbmurderer, nounmurderess, nounmuscleman, nounnark, nounnefarious, adjectiveneighbourhood watch, nounnick, verbno-go area, nounoffence, nounoffend, verboffender, nounold lag, nounorganized crime, nounoutlaw, nounparricide, nounpatricide, nounpetty larceny, nounPhotofit, nounpiracy, nounplant, verbpoach, verbpoacher, nounpossession, nounprivateer, nounprotection, nounprowl, verbprowler, nounpublic nuisance, nounpull, verbpunk, nounpurloin, verbraid, nounram-raiding, nounrape, verbrape, nounrapist, nounravish, verbreceiver, nounreceiving, nounrecidivist, nounregicide, nounring, nounringleader, nounriotous, adjectiverob, verbrobber, nounrobbery, nounroll, verbrustler, nounscheme, nounscheme, verbshady, adjectiveshoplift, verbshoplifting, nounslander, nounsmuggle, verbsnout, nounspeeding, nounstabbing, nounstalking, nounstatutory offence, nounstatutory rape, nounsteal, verbstoolpigeon, nounsupergrass, nounsuspect, nounswag, nountheft, nounthief, nounthievish, adjectivetorch, verbtraffic, nountrafficker, nountriad, noununder-the-counter, adjectiveunderworld, nounundesirable, nounvagrancy, nounvandal, nounvandalism, nounvandalize, verbvice, nounvigilante, nounvillainy, nounviolate, verbviolation, nounwanted, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYADJECTIVES/NOUN + suspect The police said they had no reason to suspect foul play. He was named as the prime suspect in the murder investigation.
· She didn’t realise he was the prime suspect in a murder case.
(=the main suspect)· I was the one who found her. And that makes me the number one suspect for her murder.
· The murder suspect is described as in his early 20s, wearing a baseball type cap and a dark jacket.
· The police drew up a list of possible suspects.
verbs· Detectives arrested the suspect after a five-day undercover operation.
· Police confirmed that six suspects are being questioned.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The police said they had no reason to suspect foul play. (=think that someone might have selfish or dishonest reasons for doing something)· They began to question the motives of the people who held positions of power.
He was named as the prime suspect in the murder investigation.· Coalition forces killed at least 20 suspected terrorists.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Most agronomists consider take-all to be the chief suspect, but on this site it wasn't a major feature.· He was the chief suspect in the schoolyard stabbing death of a 7-year-old at an elementary school.· The chief suspects have been identified, but because of insufficient evidence no one has been charged.
· Did I say running out of likely suspects?· Among the likely suspects: Fewer immigrants seeking licenses.· Continue this for a week or two, and compare the two records to see if there are any likely suspects.
· The other victim was the main suspect in the ritualistic murders.· But there was one witness the potential murderer could not avoid, and that was the main suspect.· The major was aware that the main suspect had been freed on the orders of the opposition leader.· They are thought to be associates of the five main suspects.
· How easy it had been almost immediately to uncover three possible suspects for the murder of Theodore Kemp!· It gets worse: Spoon and Stretch suddenly find themselves wanted as possible suspects in a gruesome murder case.· They believe the tests could eliminate a large group of possible suspects.
· It was only later that smoking was seen to be the prime suspect.· He's looking more and more like the prime suspect in a lengthening string of murders.· The prime suspect was Vic, though how would he know Mungo was in here?· Dripping wet, he made his first call to his prime suspect: Marro.· Having met him, Dexter was convinced Lancaster was their prime suspect.· The prime suspect is a man in his 20s, who wears blue overalls and a red baseball cap.· Mr Pacey's new team has 500 prime suspects in its sights.· Only interviews with the prime suspects could enlighten us now but, instead, they served to confuse still further.
· Then come the usual suspects, categories that we can rattle through quickly before announcing the big ones.· I happened to find myself with the Commander on the gallery one afternoon: the other usual suspects were missing.· In other words, the usual suspects.· But there is a lot in it for the usual suspects.· The usual suspects are labor unions, which have been around for a century.· Not even the Seattle earthquake could deflect these usual suspects from their mission to keep the Clinton era alive for our delectation.
NOUN· Read in studio A murder suspect has told a court that he accidentally stabbed a teenager to death during a street fight.· By the end of the book, Britt herself is a murder suspect.· The murder suspect is described as of black or mixed race in his early 20s.· A promising young lawyer assigned to defend a murder suspect finds her client so appealing, she helps him escape.· And the murder suspect himself, whom Lucy seduced to secure a confession, only to have the case dismissed for entrapment.· Most glaring was the bungled arrest attempt last month of a 21-year-murder suspect in Kyoto.· Instead they feel a thrusting businessman would make a better murder suspect.
VERB· This point is proved by the officer who arrests the suspect stating that the defendant in court is the person involved.· It took nearly 18 years, thousands of hours and great expense for authorities to arrest a suspect in the Unabomber case.· No group claimed responsibility but the police were reported to have arrested three suspects.· Police recognized Moll and arrested him as a suspect in two grocery store robberies, also involving getaway cabs.· Detectives arrested the suspect at his home in Toxteth after a lengthy cat-and-mouse game involving surveillance experts.· Nor do they have the power to arrest or detain suspects.
· This includes obtaining access through a judge, prior to charging a suspect, to bank accounts and other documentary evidence.
· Garde à vue detention allows the police to detain suspects for interrogation for a period of up to 10 days.· Racial profiling is the practice by police of considering a person's race or ethnicity in detaining suspects or making traffic stops.· If they witness a law being broken, they can detain a suspect until police arrive.· Nor do they have the power to arrest or detain suspects.
· Two policemen called to the scene began questioning the suspects.· The magistrate may question the suspect and other witnesses and conduct his own enquiries.· For the Code does not limit their freedom to question suspects provided they do not propose to use their statements in evidence.· The greater his success, the greater the chance that some one would begin to question and suspect.· This opportunity to question suspects in custody was clearly of crucial importance to the police.· This had the effect of giving the police a further 24 hours to question the suspect, charge him or release him.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- But there is a lot in it for the usual suspects.
- In other words, the usual suspects.
- The usual suspects are labor unions, which have been around for a century.
- Then come the usual suspects, categories that we can rattle through quickly before announcing the big ones.
WORD FAMILYadjectivesuspectsuspectedunsuspectingsuspiciousnounsuspectsuspicionverbsuspectadverbsuspiciously
1someone who is thought to be guilty of a crime: Two suspects were arrested today in connection with the robbery. Police have issued a description of the murder suspect.suspect for the two suspects for the robberysuspect in a suspect in a burglary casemain/prime/chief suspect Davies is still the chief suspect.2the usual suspects the people or things that are usually involved in or responsible for a particular activity: a wine shop stocking all the usual suspects: wines from California, France, AustraliaCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + suspectthe prime/chief/main suspect· She didn’t realise he was the prime suspect in a murder case.the number one suspect (=the main suspect)· I was the one who found her. And that makes me the number one suspect for her murder.a murder/burglary etc suspect· The murder suspect is described as in his early 20s, wearing a baseball type cap and a dark jacket.a possible suspect· The police drew up a list of possible suspects.verbsarrest/detain a suspect· Detectives arrested the suspect after a five-day undercover operation.question/interrogate/interview a suspect· Police confirmed that six suspects are being questioned.suspect1 verbsuspect2 nounsuspect3 adjective
suspectsuspect3 adjective WORD ORIGINsuspect3
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French, Latin, past participle of suspicere; ➔ SUSPECT1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Democrats have returned $1.5 million in suspect contributions.
- Police found the suspect package next to a trash can.
- Six people were killed in a suspected arson attack on a hotel.
- The health benefits of the treatment are suspect.
- The police or social services will investigate any suspected case of child abuse.
- He knew his wife: for her, any form of desperation was suspect.
- Possibly it was thought that for this reason, amongst others, she would not be suspect by our controls.
- Psychologically, it must have been extremely difficult for these students to equate suspect institutions with personable people.
- Racial classifications are suspect, and that means that simple legislative assurances of good intention can not suffice.
- The suspect meat, more than eight tonnes of it, ended up in three national supermarket chains.
- This is because the relatively few studies that have found such a risk are methodologically suspect.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The company was involved in some highly suspect business dealings. The two men were convicted on the basis of some highly suspect evidence.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The police said they had no reason to suspect foul play. He was named as the prime suspect in the murder investigation.
The company was involved in some highly suspect business dealings. The two men were convicted on the basis of some highly suspect evidence. The police said they had no reason to suspect foul play. (=think that someone might have selfish or dishonest reasons for doing something)· They began to question the motives of the people who held positions of power.
He was named as the prime suspect in the murder investigation.· Coalition forces killed at least 20 suspected terrorists.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Scudamore admitted that there were at least three more highly suspect cases.· All sauces, mayonnaise and salad dressings, creamed soups and cheese-containing concoctions should be considered highly suspect sources of excess calories.
WORD FAMILYadjectivesuspectsuspectedunsuspectingsuspiciousnounsuspectsuspicionverbsuspectadverbsuspiciously
1not likely to be completely honest SYN dodgy: I’ve always thought he was a bit of a suspect character. The company was involved in some highly suspect business dealings.2not likely to be completely true: The two men were convicted on the basis of some highly suspect evidence.3likely to have problems and not work well: The engine sounded a bit suspect.4[only before noun] likely to contain a bomb or something illegal or dangerous: Police were called in to check out a suspect van.