suspicion
/səs'piʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A feeling or thought that something is possible, likely, or true, especially something wrong or bad, without certain proof: The state of suspecting someone or something.
- A slight trace or amount of something: A very small quantity or hint.
- The condition of being distrusted or thought guilty of something: The state of being under suspicion.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Distrust/Doubt):
- She regarded him with suspicion. (She looked at him with a feeling that he might be guilty of something.)
- The evidence was not enough to confirm our suspicion. (The proof did not fully support our belief that something was wrong.)
- Noun (Trace/Amount):
- He added just a suspicion of garlic to the sauce. (He added a very small, almost undetectable amount of garlic.)
- Noun (State of Being Suspected):
- He was arrested on suspicion of theft. (He was arrested because he was thought to be guilty of theft.)
- Her unusual behavior brought her under suspicion. (Her strange actions caused others to distrust her.)
Advanced Usage
- "Above suspicion": So honest or good that no one could reasonably doubt it.
- The judge's integrity is above suspicion. (The judge is so honest that no one would suspect wrongdoing.)
- "A sneaking suspicion": A private, persistent feeling of doubt or belief, often one you are reluctant to admit.
- I have a sneaking suspicion that he already knows the answer. (I privately believe, without full proof, that he knows.)
Variants and Related Words
- Suspect (verb): To believe something, especially something bad, may be true or likely.
- I suspect he is lying.
- Suspicious (adjective):
- Having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something.
- She gave him a suspicious glance.
- Causing one to have the idea or impression that something is wrong.
- There was a suspicious package left on the bus.
- Suspiciously (adverb): In a way that suggests suspicion.
- He acted suspiciously.
Synonyms
- Distrust: A feeling of not trusting someone or something.
- Misgiving: A feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something.
- Hint: A slight or indirect indication or suggestion (for the "trace" meaning).
Related Phrases
- On suspicion of (something): Because one is believed to have committed a crime.
- He was questioned on suspicion of fraud.
- Under suspicion: Being thought possibly guilty of wrongdoing.
- The entire department is under suspicion after the scandal.
Related Idioms
- Cast suspicion on: To cause people to doubt or distrust someone or something.
- The new evidence cast suspicion on the prime witness.
- A shadow of suspicion: A lingering feeling of doubt about someone's honesty or actions.
- A shadow of suspicion hung over his victory.
Noun
- being of a suspicious nature
- his suspiciousness destroyed his marriage
- the state of being suspected
- he tried to shield me from suspicion
- doubt about someone's honesty
- an impression that something might be the case
- he had an intuition that something had gone wrong