suspect

Everyday

1. (verb) To think something is probably true, without being sure (I suspect it will rain). tree →
2. (verb) To think someone may have done something wrong (suspect him of lying). tree →
3. (verb) To doubt or not trust something. tree →
4. (noun) A person the police think may have done a crime. tree →
5. (adjective) Possibly false, dangerous or not to be trusted (a suspect package). tree →

In the lessons

In stories and detective tales, the suspects and clues. In safety, report a suspect package or a suspected scam to an adult. In science, suspecting a cause before testing it. Phrases: «suspect someone of», «the main suspect», «a suspected case», «I suspect so».

Examples

• I suspect the dog ate my sandwich. tree →
• The police questioned three suspects. tree →
• She suspected him of cheating. tree →
• Don't touch a suspect package — tell an adult. tree →
• I suspect you're right. tree →
• He is the main suspect in the robbery. tree →
• A suspected broken arm was checked by the doctor. tree →
• “Do you suspect me of being a spy sent by the ogre?” tree →

Note

Stress: verb sus-PECT, noun and adjective SUS-pect. Noun «suspicion», adjective «suspicious». «Suspect someone OF something». A suspect is not guilty until proven; in stories, the obvious suspect is often not the one who did it.