Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing or characterized by suspense: Creating a feeling of anxious uncertainty about what may happen.
   • Undecided or characterized by indecisiveness: Tending to delay a decision or conclusion; provisional.

Usage

• The primary use of suspensive is as a formal adjective to describe situations, conditions, or actions that create suspense or that are temporary and not yet finalized.
• It is often used in legal, formal, or literary contexts.

Examples

• The final chapter of the novel was intensely suspensive, leaving readers anxious for the sequel.
• The committee issued a suspensive veto, delaying the implementation of the new policy until further review.
• His suspensive manner during the negotiations frustrated everyone who wanted a clear answer.

Advanced Usage

• Suspensive condition: In law, a condition that delays the enforcement of a right or obligation until a future uncertain event occurs.
  • The contract's effectiveness was subject to a suspensive condition regarding the buyer's financing.
• Suspensive appeal: A legal appeal that has the effect of postponing the execution of a judgment.
  • Filing a suspensive appeal halted the eviction process.

Variants and Related Words

• Suspend (verb): To temporarily stop or delay something.
  • The judge decided to suspend the sentence.
• Suspension (noun): The act of suspending or the state of being suspended.
  • The suspension of the flight caused widespread inconvenience.
• Suspense (noun): A state of mental uncertainty and anxiety.
  • The film masterfully built up the suspense.

Synonyms

• Provisional: Arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.
• Pending: Awaiting decision or settlement.
• Cliffhanging: Causing suspense like the end of an episode of a serial.

Antonyms

• Conclusive: Serving to prove a case; decisive.
• Definitive: (of a conclusion or agreement) done or reached decisively and with authority.
• Final: Coming at the end; last.

Related Phrases

• To hold in suspense: To keep someone in a state of anxious uncertainty.
  • The author held her readers in suspense until the final page.
• Suspense account: In accounting, a temporary account used to hold entries until their proper classification is determined.
  • The unidentifiable payment was placed in a suspense account.

Adjective

1. undecided or characterized by indecisiveness
2. (of a situation) characterized by or causing suspense