Suspicion is the state or act ofsuspecting something—having a sense that it may be true without knowing with certainty.

Suspicion can also refer to this sense, as inI had a suspicion that I was going to be fired, or an instance of suspecting someone of something, as inMy suspicions turned out to be right—they had been stealing from the register.

Asuspicion is usually based on something, such as ahunch or some kind of evidence, but the word is typically used in situations in which there is some doubt—when someone suspects something, but isn’t sure.

Suspicion is most commonly used in negative contexts, but this isn’t always the case. For example, you might have asuspicion that someone is planning a surprise party for you.

Suspicion can also refer to a state of mind, as inHe’s always been prone to suspicion. To regard something withsuspicion is to regard it with distrust.

Sometimes,suspicion refers to the state of being suspected, especially of a crime or other wrongdoing. This sense of the word is often used in phrases likeunder suspicion andon suspicion of, as inHe was arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Someone who’s considered highly trustworthy might be described asabove suspicion, meaning you would never suspect them of doing anything wrong.

The adjectivesuspicious can describe a person who hassuspicions about others, as inMy parents got suspicious when I kept asking whether they’d be home tomorrow, or someone or something that arouses suspicion, as in a suspicious package.

Example:We have suspected it all along, and what happened today confirmed our suspicions.

The first records of the wordsuspicion come from the 1200s. It comes from the Latinsuspīciō, meaning “distrust,” from the verbsuspicere, “to mistrust.”

The wordsuspect is based on the same root assuspicion (ultimately coming from the Latinspecere, meaning “to observe,” or “to keep an eye on”) and is often used in many of the same contexts. To suspect something is to have asuspicion. A person investigated or arrested onsuspicion of having committed a crime is called asuspect.

What are some other forms related tosuspicion?

• suspicious (adjective)

What are some synonyms forsuspicion?

• misgiving
• hunch
• notion
• distrust
• mistrust

What are some words that share a root or word element withsuspicion? 

• above suspicion
• suspect
• soupcon

What are some words that often get used in discussingsuspicion?

• raise
• arouse
• confirm
• under
• doubt
• crime
• murder
• reasonable

Suspicion is usually (though not always) used in negative contexts, especially ones involving someone doing something wrong. It always implies that what’s being suspected isn’t known for sure. 

i have a suspicion that tik tok was intentionally named to mock our inability to properly manage time while on it. this time warp portal of an app is 100% intentional and they are subliminally rubbing it in our faces.

— lianna (@lianna3125)January 20, 2021

As we watched and divided briefly glimpsed body parts by two, we had begun to suspect that there was more than one chick in the#redtailedhawk nest. Suspicions were confirmed! Two little#raptor heads appeared! 🦖🦖🦖#TwitterNatureCommunity#BirdPhotography#BirdsOfPrey#Birdspic.twitter.com/69CH0shRJH

— Dr Gail Barnes (@ZAGrrl)December 2, 2020

Hong Kong police arrest 11 on suspicion of aiding activists' escape attempt: mediahttps://t.co/RGCWFngmt3pic.twitter.com/so5lw3Cj96

— Reuters (@Reuters)January 14, 2021

Which of the following words can be a synonym ofsuspicion? 

A. distrust
B. mistrust
C. misgiving
D. all of the above