suspicionsus‧pi‧cion /səˈspɪʃən/ ●●○ noun 
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] 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] 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.4a suspicion of something formal a very small amount of something that you can only just see, hear, or taste: I could see the faintest suspicion of a tear in her eyes.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave your suspicions· Many 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 somebody· Suspicion 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 3verbshave a suspicion· I have a suspicion that he forgot to post the letter.suspicion grew· Suspicion grew that the business was about to collapse.adjectivesa strong suspicion· She 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 suspicion· Suddenly I had a nasty suspicion that the boss was going to make me redundant.the slightest suspicion· Daniel 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.
WORD ORIGINsuspicion
Origin:
1200-1300 Latin suspicio, from suspicere; ➔ SUSPECT1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- ''What's that behind your back?'', Maria said with a look of deep suspicion.
- He's been arrested on suspicion of murder.
- I had no solid evidence, only vague suspicions.
- She had always had a deep suspicion of journalists and reporters.
- Terry's grandmother looked at me with suspicion and demanded, "Who's this?"
- 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.
- When I ask about Gerald, Susan's usually kind face clouded with fear and suspicion.
- A wise suspicion is that such a fate awaits any treaty containing grandiose reductions or harsh enforcement penalties.
- Also interested in Rose's financial position would be her husband and - if his suspicions were correct - Hilary Seymour-Strachey.
- As Lutherans, we viewed pleasure with suspicion.
- In other countries, however, suspicions persist that the weapons and the paramilitary training were put to illegal use.
- One bilious attack would have been passed over as something that could happen to anyone; but two aroused suspicion.
- That was what she was doing, going along, arousing no suspicion in Brimmer or anyone at the office.
- There were suspicions about the role that Conservative Central Office played in orchestrating some of these manoeuvres.
- They were being held without bail on suspicion of conspiracy, possession of explosive devices and burglary.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who does not cheat, steal, break the law etc
someone who is honest does not lie, steal or cheat, and can be trusted: · He's one of the few honest politicians we have left.· As the job involves handling large amounts of money, it's essential that our workers are honest.scrupulously honest (=very careful to always be completely honest): · She was scrupulously honest in all her business dealings.
known to be honest, especially in your business activities: · She had her antique vases valued by a reputable dealer.· Before you buy a used car it's best to go to a reputable garage.· How do we know that all the firms involved in this deal are reputable?
known to be very honest - use this especially about someone who is in a position in which it is important to be trusted: · People who look after other people's money should be above suspicion.· During the investigation no one will be considered above suspicion.
if you can trust someone, you are sure that they are honest and that you can depend on them: · Beth's an honest hardworking girl who I know I can trust.can trust somebody to do something: · I knew I could trust Neil to look after the money.
to 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.
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.
the feeling that you cannot trust someone · The talks took place in an atmosphere of hostility and distrust.· The city's school system has been hurt by low morale and public mistrust.distrust/mistrust of · Dylan's natural mistrust of reporters makes him a difficult man to interview.
the feeling that you cannot trust someone, even though you may not know exactly why: · Terry's grandmother looked at me with suspicion and demanded, "Who's this?"· When I asked about Gerald, Susan's usually kind face clouded with fear and suspicion.arouse suspicion (=make people feel suspicion): · The timing of his trip aroused suspicion among his government colleagues.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs He was arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs. This just confirms my worst fears. He’d been trying to divert suspicion away from himself. The finger of suspicion immediately fell on Broderick. Any lingering hopes of winning the title soon disappeared. There was still a nagging doubt in the back of her mind. I had a nasty feeling that a tragedy was going to happen. The local people viewed newcomers with suspicion.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Many of us had our suspicions, but we couldn't prove anything.
(=show that someone's suspicions were right)· The letter confirmed my suspicions.
(=make people think that someone has done something wrong)· How was he able to kill his victims without arousing suspicion?
(=make people think that someone has done something wrong)· That fact immediately raised suspicions of Johnson's involvement in the incident.
(=be thought to have probably done something wrong)· He was still under suspicion of fraud.
formal (=make people stop having suspicions)· She had to allay their suspicions and stop them probing any further.
(=make people have suspicions about someone else)· He started the rumour to divert suspicion from himself.
· Suspicion fell on Jenkins who had been seen near the scene of the crime.
phrases (=reasons for suspicion)· Police can stop and search you if they have good grounds for suspicion.
(=be so honest that you are never thought to have done something wrong)· He regarded his friend Henry as being above suspicion.
Meaning 3verbs· I have a suspicion that he forgot to post the letter.
· Suspicion grew that the business was about to collapse.
adjectives· She had a strong suspicion he was laughing at her.
(=a small suspicion)· We have a sneaking suspicion they're trying to put together a deal.
· Suddenly I had a nasty suspicion that the boss was going to make me redundant.
· Daniel never had the slightest suspicion of how she really felt.
(=one that you have all the time)· I had a nagging suspicion that Colin wasn't telling me the whole truth.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He was arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs. This just confirms my worst fears. He’d been trying to divert suspicion away from himself. The finger of suspicion immediately fell on Broderick. Any lingering hopes of winning the title soon disappeared. There was still a nagging doubt in the back of her mind. I had a nasty feeling that a tragedy was going to happen.· When you treat the kids with respect, they act responsibly.
· A vague suspicion began to tug at Benny's mind.
The local people viewed newcomers with suspicion.· Could you swear to me every one of your circle's above suspicion?· You must be above suspicion of any impropriety.
· Anything easy and pleasant aroused deep suspicion and people enjoying themselves were usually less inclined to pay attention to others.· He treated all with deep suspicion.· Added to this was the deep suspicion felt by senior ministers, influential judges and lawyers about purists themselves.· When two ten-year-olds allegedly abducted and murdered the toddler, it confirmed the public's deepest suspicions.· So why do their activities arouse deep suspicion among tax authorities and police forces?· Western society has generated a deep suspicion from which in the main the other arts have been protected.· Everywhere measures to free the grain trade aroused the deepest suspicion and hostility.
· But the more Downing Street protests, the greater the suspicion that Major is jittery about US-UK relations.· The enigmatic thing was the great pall of suspicion hanging over such an ordinary-appearing man.· I had inspected the water jump with great suspicion before the race.· Those plans are regarded with great suspicion and fear in Moscow.· And a lot of times a video camera is looked upon with great suspicion.
· The terrible kindnesses of the evening roused her worst suspicions.· What the connection is we can only hazard a guess at but it confirms all our worst suspicions about anything-core outfits once and for all.
· It had taken a long time for the initial hostility and suspicion between them to wear off.· There was an initial suspicion that this poison had been ingested by our two patients.· By the 1990s his initial suspicion of television had disappeared.· In this case the initial suspicion must be reasonable, whereupon the person may be held for up to 7 days.
· Instead there would be the dismal apparatus of mutual suspicion familiar to every accountant.· A further conference at La Ferté-Bernard in July 1168 met in an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and broke up with nothing achieved.· But at Eindhoven the organisation was unable to prevent fraternisation between the two sides leaping from mutual suspicion into whirlwind romance.· This general detente has not, however, dispelled decades of mutual suspicion.· Newt-bashing camouflages the mutual suspicion between the president and his supposed friends in Congress.· Novel approaches to Roma exclusion may have to be attempted to overcome mutual suspicion.
· If officers have reasonable suspicion they can still board and search and arrest.· Legislation should be considered to extend statutory protection to auditors so that they can report reasonable suspicion of fraud to investigatory authorities.· The court accepted that these facts amounted to a reasonable suspicion.· But it is not only the concept of reasonable suspicion that has been diluted by police practice and judicial endorsement.· To give power to arrest on reasonable suspicion does not mean that it is always or even ordinarily to be exercised.· Their hunch was held not to amount to a reasonable suspicion.
· Even later, there was strong suspicion but never proof.· I have the strongest suspicion, though, that they did it for each other.
VERB· Sly had to allay their suspicions and stop them probing any further.· Margaret came from a wealthy family, and Richard was anxious to allay any suspicion that he had married for money.· This huge increase should have allayed the peasants' suspicions of the new regime, but this was hot the case.· To allay suspicion she ate three spoonfuls herself but was found out.
· Unless your home is totally dilapidated, steer clear of a complete redecoration prior to selling: it will arouse suspicion.· Although it quickly subsided, what I was able to catch was sufficient to arouse suspicion.· Like Miltiades, he had aroused the suspicion of his people that he aimed at supreme power.· In schools the increasing number of para.professionals creeping in under the resources umbrella have understandably aroused suspicions in teachers' union branches.· The two painters downstairs impinge - directly through their crazy behaviour arousing suspicion against themselves, and indirectly through Porfiry.· If she aroused the girl's suspicion all would be lost.· In the current climate, any smooth and unambiguous unity of theory is likely to arouse suspicion.· He sat once again at his desk and began to consider how to get the official document translated without arousing further suspicion.
· Three men were arrested on suspicion of causing violent disorder and were released on police bail.· A man found at the house, Ronald Lerma, 29, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a crack cocaine pipe.· On Nov. 29 a 19-year-old skinhead was arrested under suspicion of arson in connection with the Mölln attack.· Lombardy was stopped and arrested on suspicion of rape by force; rape with a foreign object and false imprisonment.· Kedie was initially arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs when police discovered £2,000 in cash in his house.· In August 1984, Benicia police arrested him on suspicion of molesting a 10-year-old girl.· The following day Gary Burn was arrested by police on suspicion of murder.· When police arrested Nestor Padron on suspicion of skimming meter receipts, he was carrying $ 850 in cash, Maher said.
· It was then that Rudolfo, if he wanted to avoid suspicion, would lead his flock down to the villa.· Brown has said that because he is black, he must do more than others to avoid suspicion.
· A quick check outside confirmed my suspicions: we just weren't going up very fast.· If we guess right, then we confirm his suspicions.· I'd like a chance to confirm my suspicions.· Meanwhile, a company audit confirmed his original suspicions.· A telephone call confirmed my suspicions.· Their placement in a remedial course confirmed their suspicions.· Just then, a tanker drove up from the south and the driver confirmed my suspicions.· Statements like this confirmed our suspicions about self-defeating organizational behavior patterns.
· In 1959 Navarro Rubio had not only not immediately fallen under suspicion of disloyalty, but had actually made Franco back down.· As news of his triptych spread, he fell under increasing suspicion.· Because of you, your fellow officers have fallen under suspicion!
· Corruption is endemic, and there is a widely held suspicion that the police and army are behind some crimes.· The suspects were held Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder, attempted burglary and conspiracy.· What worried her most of all was that she might be held in equal suspicion.· They were being held without bail on suspicion of conspiracy, possession of explosive devices and burglary.· Four of those arrested are being held on suspicion of armed robbery.· Some people get held on suspicion - I know!
· For some reason this topic had raised local suspicions and in correspondence nearly ruled out.· She knew that it would raise too much suspicion for the whole family to leave at once.· He has been on the run since 1963, raising the suspicion that he has bought off the police.· These appeals raise lots of suspicions, for such curricula have traditionally served to exclude working-class people from the classroom.
· She regards me with suspicion, but when I hold out my hand, she takes it.· Those plans are regarded with great suspicion and fear in Moscow.· Pleas about competition were regarded with much suspicion and little sympathy by the trade unions.· Any answer that is not basically a selfish one should be regarded with suspicion.· One reason, of particular salience in developing countries, is that services are regarded with considerable suspicion.· Attempts to divide anything into two ought to be regarded with much suspicion...· But there were others too, some drawn from that old left milieu regarded with suspicion by Miles.· All pointed snails should be regarded with suspicion as they have a liking for the foliage of aquatic plants.
· Philby remained bitter towards Burgess, whose defection had thrown suspicion on him and ultimately led to his unmasking.
· A properly theological response can not treat suspicion merely as a positive or a negative impulse from outside the source of theology.· He treated all with deep suspicion.· Thus, substantive comparison of these countries and the generalizations about civic culture must be treated with suspicion.· Joint-ill can affect the older foal so any lameness should be treated with suspicion.
· If they viewed me with suspicion then I was much puzzled about them.· But nothing would be viewed with more suspicion than this method of expanding output.· Any law which directly or indirectly discourages the publication of views from within the criminal justice system must be viewed with suspicion.· This woman is a woman she views with suspicion, and for what reason?· The Prime Minister designate obviously viewed me with suspicion, as being closely associated with his predecessor.· As Lutherans, we viewed pleasure with suspicion.· But those who claimed to know that they were chosen, Calvin viewed with suspicion.· This is the day of the motorist, and anyone who walks is viewed with suspicion.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► have a sneaking feeling/suspicion/admiration
- Not one of them had a suspicion of fat on their bodies.
- After all, it is about the conservation of the old and founded on a suspicion of the new.
- Is it sufficient that he perceives a suspicion of bias, or must he perceive the higher hurdle of likelihood?
- The outboard profile shows a short-ended hull with just a suspicion of sheer.
- There could be a suspicion of dogma, whether religious or scientific.
- There was a suspicion of extra flesh at hip and belly, but that's to be expected on an adult male.
- The motives were above reproach since a large sum was raised for deserving charities every year.
- You must be above suspicion of any impropriety.
- But he failed to allay fears that he will be a fatally flawed candidate when pitted against President Bush next autumn.
- In an attempt to allay these concerns, Rhone and other staff members met with citizens from the rehabilitation area several times.
- In this way he can discuss current information with his wife and help to allay her fears.
- Kelly argues that the removal of the requirement to aid decision-makers would allay fears.
- Margaret came from a wealthy family, and Richard was anxious to allay any suspicion that he had married for money.
- Sly had to allay their suspicions and stop them probing any further.
- Some Alliance supporters made statements that did little to allay such fears.
- The virtual extinction of the dragon sister tutor should also help to allay your fears.
- Although it quickly subsided, what I was able to catch was sufficient to arouse suspicion.
- In schools the increasing number of para.professionals creeping in under the resources umbrella have understandably aroused suspicions in teachers' union branches.
- Parked vehicles that arouse suspicion should be reported.
- Similarly the threat of a loss arouses anxiety and actual loss causes sorrow, while both situations are likely to arouse anger.
- The beguiling simplicity of the flat tax is one reason it arouses suspicion.
- The two painters downstairs impinge - directly through their crazy behaviour arousing suspicion against themselves, and indirectly through Porfiry.
- They are fascinating and frightening; they arouse anger and they are defiant.
- Unless your home is totally dilapidated, steer clear of a complete redecoration prior to selling: it will arouse suspicion.
- According to the researchers, the new cell actually works better under cloud cover than in full sunlight.
- Decades of wallpaper peeling under clouds of dust.
- For all these reasons wooden aeroplanes are under a cloud at the moment.
- He passes away under a cloud, inscrutable at heart, forgotten, unforgiven, and excessively romantic.
- Not only must they care for distressed and disturbed young people, but they must do so under a cloud.
- Sometimes the pressure we were under clouded our judgment.
- The sight of these two storming along under a cloud of canvas is enough to stir the blood of most landlubbers.
- We argued about it, and when I left, I left under a cloud.
- He says it doesn't make sense to point the finger of blame, it's the law that is at fault.
- Almost immediately, the fretting, niggling worries and the sense of fearful anticipation began to return.
- Always, in the background, in the dim recesses of her mind, there had been that niggling doubt.
- And here a niggling doubt enters the mind.
- Nor did it remove the niggling suspicion that Isabel was hiding something.
- Of course, this is usually so, but I am having little niggling doubts about such a sweeping statement.
- There remains the niggling doubt that this delay has something to do with our muddled sentimentality towards animals.
- There was, however, a niggling doubt in the minds of some of the jurors.
- Their conversation had planted doubts in Dennis' mind about the partnership.
- Philby remained bitter towards Burgess, whose defection had thrown suspicion on him and ultimately led to his unmasking.
WORD FAMILYadjectivesuspectsuspectedunsuspectingsuspiciousnounsuspectsuspicionverbsuspectadverbsuspiciously
1[countable, uncountable] 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] 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] 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.4a suspicion of something formal a very small amount of something that you can only just see, hear, or taste: I could see the faintest suspicion of a tear in her eyes.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbshave your suspicions· Many 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 somebody· Suspicion 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 3verbshave a suspicion· I have a suspicion that he forgot to post the letter.suspicion grew· Suspicion grew that the business was about to collapse.adjectivesa strong suspicion· She 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 suspicion· Suddenly I had a nasty suspicion that the boss was going to make me redundant.the slightest suspicion· Daniel 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.