suspected
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective 1. Believed to be likely or possible, but not proven: Used to describe someone or something that is thought to be involved in a crime, disease, or other undesirable situation, based on some evidence or circumstance, but without definitive proof.
Usage
The adjective "suspected" is used attributively (before a noun) to indicate that the following noun is the object of suspicion. It describes a person, thing, or condition that is under consideration or investigation but not yet confirmed.
Examples
- The police are questioning a suspected thief in connection with the robbery.
- She was admitted to the hospital with a suspected case of pneumonia.
- Authorities have detained several suspected terrorists.
- The mechanic identified a suspected fault in the engine's wiring.
Advanced Usage
- "Suspected of (something/doing something)": This is a common prepositional phrase used with the verb form, not the adjective. However, it clarifies the state described by the adjective "suspected."
- He is suspected of fraud. (This means he is a suspected fraudster.)
- The word implies a preliminary or interim status, often leading to further action like testing, interrogation, or surveillance.
Variants and Related Words
- Suspect (verb): To have an idea or impression of the existence, presence, or truth of (something) without certain proof.
- I suspect he is lying.
- Suspect (noun): A person thought to be guilty of a crime or offense.
- The suspect was arrested at the scene.
- Suspicion (noun): A feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true.
- I have a suspicion that it will rain.
- Suspicious (adjective): Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something; causing one to have the idea or impression that something is wrong.
- His behavior was suspicious.
Synonyms
- Alleged
- Presumed
- Putative
- Supposed
Antonyms
- Confirmed
- Proven
- Definite
- Certain
Adjective
- believed likely
- a suspected thief
- a suspected infection