unsuspected
gb/ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪd/ us/ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪd/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
not known or expected
not known about before; surprising
Usage pattern:
[an] unsuspected [problem/cause/ability]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with unsuspecting (meaning “not aware of danger”). Unsuspected describes the thing that was not known; unsuspecting describes the person who is not aware.
Synonyms
unknown (more general; can mean simply not known, without the idea of suspicion or discovery)
|
unrecognized (emphasizes that people failed to notice it)
|
unforeseen (focuses on not being predicted in advance)
|
unexpected (focuses on surprise rather than lack of suspicion)
Antonyms
known (already discovered or understood)
|
suspected (already thought possible, even without proof)
|
anticipated (expected in advance)
Collocations
unsuspected danger
|unsuspected risk
|unsuspected cause
|unsuspected problem
|unsuspected flaw
|unsuspected talent
|unsuspected potential
|unsuspected connection
|unsuspected source
|unsuspected side effects
Themes
daily_life
|knowledge
|risk
|discovery
Examples
- The blood test revealed an unsuspected allergy.
- Engineers found an unsuspected weakness in the design.
- The interview uncovered an unsuspected connection between the two cases.
Learner examples
- The doctor found an unsuspected problem.
- She has an unsuspected talent for singing.
adjective
C1
property
2
not suspected of wrongdoing
not thought to have done something wrong
Usage pattern:
unsuspected of [a crime/wrongdoing]
Common mistake:
Learners may use *unsuspecting* here; *unsuspecting* means “not aware,” while *unsuspected* means “not suspected (by others).”
Synonyms
above suspicion (suggests a strong reputation for innocence)
|
not suspected (a direct paraphrase, neutral in tone)
Antonyms
suspected (thought possibly responsible)
|
under suspicion (officially or publicly considered a possible culprit)
Collocations
remain unsuspected
|go unsuspected
|unsuspected by the police
|unsuspected by anyone
|largely unsuspected
|completely unsuspected
|long unsuspected
|unsuspected of theft
|unsuspected of involvement
|until then unsuspected
Themes
crime_law
|society
Examples
- For weeks, the attacker went unsuspected by the police.
- She was unsuspected of any role in the fraud.
- The true source of the leak remained unsuspected until the audit.
Learner examples
- He was unsuspected of the crime.
- The thief went unsuspected for months.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unsuspected
IPA
GB/ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪd/
US/ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪd/
Syllables & stress
un - sus - pec - ted (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (pec)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unsuspected
Expressions
to an unsuspected degree
1/tə ən ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪd dɪɡɹˈi/
fixed phrase
much more than realized
much more than people thought
Examples
- The policy affected small businesses to an unsuspected degree.
- Her comments were hurtful to an unsuspected degree.
- The two problems were connected to an unsuspected degree.
unsuspected depths
1/ˌʌnsəspˈɛktɪd dˈɛpθs/
fixed phrase
hidden complexity or ability
someone or something is more interesting or capable than you thought
Examples
- I didn’t think he cared, but he has unsuspected depths.
- The documentary reveals unsuspected depths in her writing.
- That quiet town has unsuspected depths once you get to know it.