suspicion
noun/səˈspɪʃn/
/səˈspɪʃn/
Word Family
Idioms - suspect verb noun adjective
- suspected adjective
- suspicion noun
- suspicious adjective
- suspiciously adverb
- [uncountable, countable] a feeling that somebody has done something wrong, illegal or dishonest, even though you have no proof
- They drove away slowly to avoid arousing suspicion.
- on suspicion of something He was arrested on suspicion of murder.
- suspicion that… I have a sneaking suspicion that she's not telling the truth.
- My suspicions were confirmed when police raided the property.
- She was reluctant to voice her suspicions.
- His resignation seemed only to fuel suspicions.
- It’s time to confront him with our suspicions.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesc1- He ended his athletics career under a cloud of suspicion when he refused to take a drug test.
- Parked vehicles that arouse suspicion should be reported to the police.
- Strong suspicion attached to the victim's boyfriend.
- The police must have reasonable grounds for suspicion before they can get a search warrant.
- The suspicion exists that Harries is stealing money from the company safe.
- There is strong suspicion on both sides that information is being withheld.
- information that casts suspicion on one of the most powerful figures in the party
- Suspicions against the former leader remain.
- Their suspicions were further fuelled when both men failed to turn up to the appointment.
- We had our suspicions as to who did it, but nothing could be proved.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- strong
- considerable
- deep
- …
- degree
- level
- entertain
- harbour/harbor
- have
- …
- arise
- exist
- linger
- …
- above suspicion
- beyond suspicion
- on suspicion of
- …
- the finger of suspicion
- grounds for suspicion
- an object of suspicion
- …
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The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app
- [countable] suspicion (that…) a feeling or belief that something is true, even though you have no proof
- I have a horrible suspicion that we've come to the wrong station.
Extra Examples- I don't think he had the slightest suspicion anything was wrong.
- My worst suspicions were realized when I received my redundancy notice.
- The fiasco confirmed her suspicions that no thought had been put into planning the event.
- I have a nasty suspicion he's organized a surprise party for me.
- She was anxious to allay any suspicion that she had married for money.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- strong
- considerable
- deep
- …
- degree
- level
- entertain
- harbour/harbor
- have
- …
- arise
- exist
- linger
- …
- above suspicion
- beyond suspicion
- on suspicion of
- …
- the finger of suspicion
- grounds for suspicion
- an object of suspicion
- …
- [uncountable, countable] the feeling that you cannot trust somebody/something
- Their offer was greeted with some suspicion.
- Water from shallow wells should be regarded with suspicion, as it may be contaminated.
Extra Examples- Boys were an immediate object of suspicion to her.
- They viewed the new plan with great suspicion.
- an atmosphere of mutual suspicion
- odd behaviour that invites suspicion
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- strong
- considerable
- deep
- …
- degree
- level
- entertain
- harbour/harbor
- have
- …
- arise
- exist
- linger
- …
- above suspicion
- beyond suspicion
- on suspicion of
- …
- the finger of suspicion
- grounds for suspicion
- an object of suspicion
- …
- [singular] suspicion of something (formal) a small amount of something synonym hint
- His mouth quivered in the suspicion of a smile.
- Wasn’t there even a suspicion of truth in what he said?
Extra Examples- The police would arrive at the slightest suspicion of trouble.
- Her remarks lacked even the faintest suspicion of humour.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Anglo-Norman French suspeciun, from medieval Latin suspectio(n-), from suspicere ‘mistrust’. The change in the second syllable was due to association with Old French suspicion (from Latin suspicio(n-) ‘suspicion’).
Idioms
See suspicion in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee suspicion in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishabove/beyond suspicion
- too good, honest, etc. to have done something wrong, illegal or dishonest
- Nobody who was near the scene of the crime is above suspicion.
- They thought the head teacher was beyond suspicion.
the finger of blame/suspicion
- if the finger of blame/suspicion points or is pointed at somebody, they are suspected of having committed a crime, being responsible for something, etc.
- The inquiry pointed the finger of blame at the driver of the crashed coach.
- The finger of suspicion was pointed at the chicken served for lunch.
under suspicion (of something)
- suspected of doing something wrong, illegal or dishonest
- The whole family is currently under suspicion of her murder.
- A number of doctors came under suspicion of unethical behaviour.
- He fell under suspicion of tax evasion.
Check pronunciation:
suspicion