suspect
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
suspects;
suspected;
suspecting
suspects;
suspected;
suspecting
Britannica Dictionary definition of SUSPECT
[+ object]
1
a
:
to think that (someone) is possibly guilty of a crime or of doing something wrong
— often + of
-
He's suspected in four burglaries.
-
The police suspect him of murder.
-
No one suspects you of cheating.
b
:
to think that (something) is possibly the cause of something bad
— usually + of
-
The pesticide is suspected of causing cancer.
c
:
to think that (a crime) has possibly been committed
-
The police do not suspect murder in this case.
-
The fire chief suspects arson.
2
:
to think that (something, especially something bad) possibly exists, is true, will happen, etc.
-
We suspected a trap.
-
I suspect it will rain.
-
Call the doctor immediately if you suspect you've been infected.
-
The latest research confirms what scientists have long suspected.
-
I suspect she's not who she says she is.
-
“We haven't done our homework.” “I suspected as much.”
3
:
to have feelings of doubt about (something)
:
to be suspicious about (something)
-
I suspected his motives in giving me the money.
-
I have reason to suspect her sincerity when she makes promises like that.
— suspected
/səˈspɛktəd/ adjective, always used before a noun-
a suspected arsonist
-
The pesticide is a suspected carcinogen.
-
a suspected case of smallpox
plural
suspects
plural
suspects
Britannica Dictionary definition of SUSPECT
[count]
1
:
a person who is believed to be possibly guilty of committing a crime
-
a murder suspect
-
One suspect has been arrested.
-
She is a possible/prime suspect in connection with the kidnapping.
2
:
a thing that is thought of as a possible cause of something bad
-
The prime suspect for the food poisoning is the potato salad.
the usual suspects
:
the usual people or things that are suspected or thought of in a particular situation
— often used humorously
-
The breakfast menu had all the usual suspects [=the usual things]—eggs, pancakes, waffles, and French toast.
Britannica Dictionary definition of SUSPECT
[more suspect; most suspect]
:
not able to be trusted
:
causing feelings of doubt or suspicion
-
The suspect [=suspicious] vehicle was reported to the police.
-
The witness's claim was suspect. [=dubious, questionable]
-
The room had a suspect odor.
