suspect

/'sʌspekt/
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suspect

The detective found the suspect's alibi unconvincing.

Definition
  1. Verb:

    • To believe something is possible or likely, especially something bad or wrong: To have an idea or impression about the existence or truth of something without certain proof.
    • To doubt or distrust: To regard something as unreliable or questionable.
  2. Noun:

    • A person believed to be guilty of a crime or offense: Someone who is under investigation or thought to have committed a specific act.
    • A person or entity accused in a legal proceeding: In law, the party against whom an action is brought.
  3. Adjective:

    • Not to be trusted or relied upon; possibly dangerous or false: Describing something or someone that causes feelings of doubt or mistrust.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:

    • I suspect he is not telling the whole truth.
    • The detective suspected foul play from the beginning.
    • Do you suspect the authenticity of this document?
  • Noun:

    • The police have detained three suspects in connection with the robbery.
    • The main suspect in the case fled the country.
  • Adjective:

    • The package was left in a suspect location.
    • His motives for helping seem suspect.
Advanced Usage
  • "To be suspected of (something)": To be thought to be guilty of or involved in a particular act.

    • He was suspected of leaking confidential information.
  • "A prime suspect": The person considered most likely to be guilty.

    • After the new evidence was found, she became the prime suspect.
  • "Suspect classification" (Legal term): In constitutional law, a class of persons subjected to potentially discriminatory laws, triggering strict judicial scrutiny.

Variants and Related Words
  • Suspicion (n): A feeling or thought that something may be true or the case, especially something wrong.

    • She had a suspicion that she was being followed.
  • Suspicious (adj.): Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something; causing one to have the idea or impression that something is wrong.

    • The man was acting in a suspicious manner.
  • Unsuspected (adj.): Not known or thought to exist or be present; not suspected.

    • The drug had unsuspected side effects.
Synonyms
  • Verb: Doubt, distrust, mistrust, conjecture, surmise.
  • Noun: Accused, defendant, person of interest.
  • Adjective: Dubious, questionable, fishy, shady.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
  • Suspect someone of something: To believe someone may be guilty of a specific act.
    • They suspect him of theft.
Related Idioms
  • "Above suspicion": So trustworthy or innocent that no one would suspect them of wrongdoing.

    • As a judge, she must be a person above suspicion.
  • "A suspect package": A parcel or item that is believed might contain something dangerous, like an explosive.

    • The station was evacuated due to a suspect package.
suspect

The detective found the suspect's alibi unconvincing.

Adjective
  1. not as expected
    • there was something fishy about the accident
    • up to some funny business
    • some definitely queer goings-on
    • a shady deal
    • her motives were suspect
    • suspicious behavior
Noun
  1. a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
  2. someone who is under suspicion
Verb
  1. hold in suspicion; believe to be guilty
    • The U.S. suspected Bin Laden as the mastermind behind the terrorist attacks
  2. regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
  3. imagine to be the case or true or probable
    • I suspect he is a fugitive
    • I surmised that the butler did it