26984 words

suspect

14 definitions • 24 examples
1
to think or believe something to be true or probable:

Examples:

So far, the police do not suspect foul play.
[ + (that) ] We had no reason to suspect (that) he might try to kill himself.
"Do you think she'll have told them?" "I suspect not/so."
2
to think that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong:

Examples:

No one knows who killed her, but the police suspect her husband.
The police suspect him of carrying out two bomb attacks.
Three suspected terrorists have been arrested.
3
to not trust; to doubt:

Examples:

I have no reason to suspect her honesty/loyalty.
We suspected his motives in making his offer.
4
a person believed to have committed a crime or done something wrong, or something believed to have caused something bad:

Examples:

Police have issued a photograph of the suspect.
The prime suspect in the case committed suicide.
No one knows what caused the outbreak of food poisoning, but shellfish is the main suspect (= is thought to have caused it).
5

Examples:

The study was carried out with such a small sample that its results are suspect.
A suspect parcel was found at the station.
6
to think or believe something is likely:

Examples:

Medical investigators suspect the outbreak was caused by bacteria in the water supply.
7
to think or believe that someone is guilty of something:

Examples:

Authorities have the power to evict residents when they suspect criminal activity.
8
to doubt or not believe in something:

Examples:

There is no reason to suspect their loyalty.
9
a person who is believed to be guilty of something:

Examples:

After the robbery, the usual suspects were rounded up.
10

Examples:

I can’t understand why my reasons seem suspect to a number of people.
11
to believe that something, usually something bad, may be true or may have happened:

Examples:

suspect that The bank suspects that fraud has occurred.
suspect fraud/dishonesty/foul play
12
to believe that someone is guilty of committing a crime:

Examples:

suspect sb/sth of doing sth The company was suspected of paying bribes to Army officers to secure contracts.
13
someone who police, employers, or other authorities believe has committed a crime:

Examples:

a chief/key/prime suspect
14
if something is suspect, it seems likely to be dishonest, dangerous, criminal, etc.:

Examples:

The Financial Services Authority is cracking down on banks and brokers that have failed to report suspect deals by clients.
Bomb disposal experts destroyed a suspect package found at the airport.

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