Suspect

Definition

Suspect can be used as a noun to refer to a person believed to be guilty of a crime, as a verb to mean having doubts or suspicions, or as an adjective to describe something that is questionable or doubtful.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb
• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation (Noun): /ˈsʌs.pɛkt/
• Respelling (Noun): SUS-pekt
• IPA Pronunciation (Verb/Adjective): /səˈspɛkt/
• Respelling (Verb/Adjective): suh-SPEKT

British English

• IPA Pronunciation (Noun): /ˈsʌs.pɛkt/
• Respelling (Noun): SUS-pekt
• IPA Pronunciation (Verb/Adjective): /səˈspɛkt/
• Respelling (Verb/Adjective): suh-SPEKT

Etymology

The word "suspect" originates from the Latin "suspectus," meaning "mistrusted," formed from "sub-" (under) and "specere" (to look at). It entered Middle English via Old French "suspect" with similar meanings.

Derivatives

• Suspicion (noun)
• Suspected (adjective)
• Suspicious (adjective)
• Unsuspected (adjective)
• Suspecting (adjective)

Synonyms

• Doubt
• Mistrust
• Accuse

Antonyms

• Trust
• Believe
• Confirm

Usage

The noun "suspect" refers to someone accused or believed to have committed a crime, such as "The police questioned the suspect." The verb "suspect" is used to indicate doubt or belief without proof, as in "I suspect he is not telling the truth." The adjective describes something questionable or not trustworthy, such as "The explanation sounded suspect."

Related Terms

• Accuse: To charge someone with an offense or crime.
• Investigate: To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry.
• Suspicion: A feeling or thought that something is possible or likely.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A person believed to be guilty of a crime: Refers to someone under suspicion in a criminal investigation.
  • Example: "The suspect was apprehended near the crime scene."

Verb

• To believe someone to be guilty without proof: Refers to forming a suspicion based on limited evidence.
  • Example: "The detective suspects the neighbor of involvement."
• To have doubts or mistrust about something: Indicates skepticism about a situation or claim.
  • Example: "She suspects that the documents are forged."

Adjective

• Questionable or unreliable: Describes something that is not to be fully trusted or certain.
  • Example: "The evidence presented in court was highly suspect."