suspect
word
/ˈsəˌspɛkt/
SUH-spekt (noun), suh-SPEKT (verb)
/ˈsʌspɛkt/
SUH-spekt (noun), suh-SPEKT (verb)
Definition
As a verb, it means to think that something is probably true, especially something bad, without having full proof. As a noun, it means a person who may have committed a crime.
Usage & Nuances
Common in both everyday and police/legal contexts. Pattern: 'suspect that + clause' and 'suspect someone of + noun/-ing'. As a noun, 'suspect' is more formal/police-related than 'suspicious person'. Don't confuse 'suspect' (think maybe true) with 'doubt' (think maybe not true).
Spanish: sospechar - sospechoso (persona)Portuguese (BR): suspeitar - suspeitoPortuguese (PT): suspeitar - suspeitoChinese (Simplified): 怀疑 - 嫌疑人Chinese (Traditional): 懷疑 - 嫌疑人Hindi: संदेह करना - संदिग्ध व्यक्तिArabic: يشتبه - مشتبه بهBengali: সন্দেহ করা - সন্দেহভাজন (ব্যক্তি)Russian: подозревать - подозреваемыйJapanese: 疑う - 容疑者Vietnamese: nghi ngờ - nghi phạmKorean: 의심하다 - 용의자Turkish: şüphelenmek - şüpheli (kişi)Urdu: شبہ کرنا - مشتبہ (شخص)Indonesian: mencurigai - tersangka
Example Sentences
I suspect he is tired.
basic
The police arrested a suspect last night.
basic
She suspects her bag is missing.
basic
I suspect they're not telling us the whole story.
natural
They suspect him of stealing money from the office.
natural
At this point, everyone is a suspect.
natural