suspicion
gb/səspˈɪʃən/ us/səspˈɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
feeling someone may be guilty
A feeling that someone may have done something bad or is not honest.
Usage pattern:
to have [a/the] suspicion that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'suspicion' (the feeling) with 'suspect' (the person believed to be guilty).
Synonyms
distrust (More general lack of trust, not always linked to wrongdoing.)
|
mistrust (Similar to distrust but can be stronger or more personal.)
Antonyms
trust (Confidence in someone's honesty or reliability.)
Collocations
arouse suspicion
|under suspicion
|strong suspicion
|cast suspicion
|without suspicion
Themes
emotions
|law
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police acted on their suspicion that he was involved.
- She looked at me with suspicion when I entered the room.
- There is growing suspicion that the company hid the truth.
- His sudden wealth raised suspicion among his coworkers.
Learner examples
- I have a suspicion that he is lying.
- The teacher has a suspicion about the missing book.
- Her eyes showed suspicion.
- He is under suspicion for the crime.
Noun
B2
quantity
2
small amount or hint of something
A very small amount or sign of something.
Usage pattern:
a suspicion of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is figurative and less common than the main sense.
Synonyms
hint (A small sign or suggestion of something.)
|
trace (A very small amount remaining.)
Antonyms
certainty (Complete assurance without doubt or smallness.)
Collocations
a suspicion of irony
|a suspicion of a smile
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a suspicion of a smile on her face.
- The sauce had just a suspicion of garlic.
- I detected a suspicion of sarcasm in his voice.
Learner examples
- He spoke with a suspicion of anger.
- The air had a suspicion of smoke.
- I saw a suspicion of a smile.
Grammar
Dictionary form
suspicion
IPA
GB/səspˈɪʃən/
US/səspˈɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
sus - pi - cion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: suspicion
- Plural: suspicion, suspicions
Word family
Forms
suspicions
noun
Core family
suspicious
adjective B1
suspect
verb B1
Related words
suspiciously
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
unsuspecting
adjective
Advanced or less common
suspiciousness
noun
Expressions
arouse suspicion
1/ɚˈaʊz səspˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
make people think something is wrong
To make people start to think that something is wrong or dishonest.
Examples
- His strange behavior aroused suspicion.
- Arriving late every day will arouse the boss's suspicion.
cast suspicion on
1/kˈæst səspˈɪʃən ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
make people doubt someone's honesty
To make people think that someone may have done something wrong.
Examples
- The evidence casts suspicion on the manager.
- Her story cast suspicion on her coworker.
without suspicion
1/wɪðˈaʊt səspˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
not thought to be guilty
When no one thinks you did something wrong.
Examples
- He passed through security without suspicion.
- She left the party without suspicion from her friends.
under suspicion
1/ˈʌndɚ səspˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
thought to be guilty
People think you may have done something wrong.
Examples
- He has been under suspicion since the money disappeared.
- Two employees are under suspicion for leaking company secrets.
- The official is under suspicion for taking bribes.
- He has been under suspicion since the incident.