suspicion

suspicion — noun

1. A feeling that something is probably true or likely happening, while lacking def

1.nounB1
Definition

A feeling that something is probably true or likely happening, while lacking definite proof that it is so — for example, a suspicion that a friend is planning a surprise, or that a decision will lead to problems.

Example

Amihan had a growing suspicion that her coworkers were planning a surprise party for her.

suspicion + that-clause expressing belief

Jack brushed aside his suspicion that the project might fail and continued working.

Common collocations
  • faint suspicion
  • growing suspicion
  • nagging suspicion
  • sneaking suspicion
  • confirm a suspicion
Synonyms
  • hunch

    more informal and based on intuition rather than reasoning

  • notion

    a general idea; weaker and less specific than suspicion

  • inkling

    a vague or slight suspicion; even less certain

Antonyms
  • certainty

    complete confidence; the opposite of a suspicion

  • proof

    evidence that removes the need for suspicion

Grammar Patterns

suspicion + that-clause

have a suspicion + that-clause

Usage Note

Frequently followed by a that-clause stating what you think might be true. Unlike sense 3 (LACK OF TRUST), this sense does not imply distrust of someone's character — only a belief about a situation or event.

Common Mistakes

I have a suspicion on his honesty.
I have a suspicion about his honesty.' or 'I suspect he is not honest.
'suspicion' takes 'about' or a that-clause, not 'on'.

2. A belief or feeling that someone has done something illegal, dishonest, or moral

2.nounB1
Definition

A belief or feeling that someone has done something illegal, dishonest, or morally wrong, often leading to an investigation or accusation — for example, being under suspicion of theft, or clearing someone of all suspicion.

Example

The detective's suspicion fell on the night guard who had been seen leaving early that evening.

suspicion fell on [person] — fixed expression

Kenji was under suspicion of stealing cash from the office safe.

under suspicion of — prepositional phrase

Common collocations
  • under suspicion
  • above suspicion
  • beyond suspicion
  • arouse suspicion
  • clear of suspicion
  • fall under suspicion
Synonyms
  • mistrust

    stronger focus on distrust rather than the belief about a specific act

  • charge

    a formal accusation; much stronger and official than suspicion

Antonyms
  • trust

    confidence in someone's honesty; the opposite of suspecting wrongdoing

  • innocence

    the state of not being guilty

Grammar Patterns

suspicion of + wrongdoing

under suspicion

Usage Note

Common in legal and workplace contexts. The phrase 'under suspicion' means someone is believed to be guilty. 'Above/beyond suspicion' means someone is so trusted that no one would suspect them. Distinguish from sense 1 (BELIEF WITHOUT PROOF), which is about events or situations rather than a person's guilt.

Common Mistakes

The police suspected him of stealing. He was under a suspicion.
The police suspected him of stealing. He was under suspicion.
'under suspicion' has no article.

3. A feeling that someone or something cannot be trusted or relied upon, so you tre

3.nounB1
Definition

A feeling that someone or something cannot be trusted or relied upon, so you treat them with caution or doubt — for example, viewing a stranger's offer with suspicion, or feeling suspicion toward a new policy.

Example

Tamar viewed the stranger's generous offer with deep suspicion and refused to share any personal details.

view with suspicion — verb + preposition pattern

Years of broken promises had created a climate of suspicion between the two business partners.

climate of suspicion — noun collocation

Common collocations
  • with suspicion
  • deep suspicion
  • mutual suspicion
  • eye with suspicion
  • regard with suspicion
Synonyms
  • distrust

    very close in meaning; distrust is often a stronger, more settled attitude

  • mistrust

    also very similar; mistrust can be a lack of confidence in yourself or others

  • doubt

    broader; can refer to uncertainty about facts, not just trustworthiness

Antonyms
  • trust

    confidence and reliance on someone's honesty

  • confidence

    a positive belief in someone's ability or character

Grammar Patterns

with suspicion

treat with suspicion

view with suspicion

Usage Note

Often appears in the phrases 'with suspicion' and 'treat/view/regard with suspicion'. Unlike sense 1 (BELIEF WITHOUT PROOF), this sense is about distrusting someone's character or motives rather than believing a fact. Unlike sense 2 (CRIME OR GUILT), it does not involve a specific accusation but a general wariness.

Common Mistakes

I have suspicion to him.
I have suspicions about him.' or 'I view him with suspicion.
'suspicion' takes 'about' or 'of', not 'to'.

4. A tiny quantity of some substance or quality, barely noticeable — used especiall

4.nounB2
Definition

A tiny quantity of some substance or quality, barely noticeable — used especially for tastes, smells, colours, or visible signs; for example, a suspicion of garlic in a sauce, or a suspicion of a smile on someone's face.

Example

The sauce had a faint suspicion of garlic that gave the dish a gentle warmth.

a suspicion of [flavour] — pattern

Sari added a suspicion of blue to the white paint, creating a soft sky colour.

Common collocations
  • a suspicion of
  • faint suspicion of
  • mere suspicion of
Synonyms
  • trace

    more common in everyday English; can refer to a detectable amount of anything

  • hint

    slightly more common; suggests something faint but noticeable

  • touch

    more informal; often used in cooking and colour descriptions

Antonyms
  • lot

    a large amount, the opposite of a tiny trace

Grammar Patterns

a suspicion of + noun

Usage Note

This sense is limited to the fixed pattern 'a suspicion of + noun' and is more common in formal or literary writing. It cannot be used with numbers ('two suspicions of salt') or with large quantities. Do not confuse with the main meanings of suspicion (belief/mistrust); the quantity sense is unrelated.

Common Mistakes

Add a few suspicions of salt.
Add a suspicion of salt.
this sense is always singular.
Idioms

above/beyond suspicion

idiom

Someone who is above or beyond suspicion is considered too honest or good to have done anything wrong.

The charity's treasurer was considered above suspicion by everyone.

Even the most respected officials are not beyond suspicion in this case.

the finger of blame/suspicion

idiom

When the finger of blame or suspicion points at someone, that person is believed to be responsible for a crime or problem.

The investigation pointed the finger of suspicion at the company's CEO.

After the accident, the finger of blame was pointed at the young driver.

under suspicion (of something)

idiom

If someone is under suspicion, they are thought to have done something wrong or illegal.

The accountant fell under suspicion of stealing company funds.

Several employees came under suspicion after the theft was discovered.

suspicion — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a state of uncertainty, but they differ in strength and formality. 'Suspicion' (B1) is the strongest of the four — it means you believe something is true or that someone has acted wrongly, often based on some evidence or reasoning. 'Doubt' (A2) is more general: it means you are not sure whether something is true or right, without necessarily leaning toward a particular conclusion. 'Hunch' (B2) is informal and based on intuition or a gut feeling rather than logic — for example, 'I had a hunch she would call.' 'Inkling' (C1) is the weakest and vaguest, meaning only a slight hint or a preliminary idea about something. Use 'suspicion' when you think the evidence points in one direction; use 'doubt' when you are simply unsure; use 'hunch' in casual conversation about predictions; use 'inkling' for barely conscious, early awareness.

suspicion ↗doubt ↗hunchinkling

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • under suspicion
  • above suspicion
  • with suspicion
  • a suspicion of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'suspicion' comes from Latin 'suspicio', meaning 'mistrust' or 'looking up at from below'. This Latin noun was formed from 'suspicere' (to look up at, to regard with mistrust), which combined 'sub-' (from below) and 'specere' (to look). The idea was of looking up at someone with a feeling that they might be hiding something. The word entered English through Old French 'suspicion' in the 13th century, originally in legal contexts referring to the act of suspecting someone of a crime.