1
as in guesses
to form an opinion from little or no evidence
we suspected that the runaway was a little younger than the 16 she claimed to be—more like 13
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in doubts
to have no trust or confidence in
I suspected him from the moment he said he was an old friend of my sister's, since I probably would have heard about him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suspects
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
One of the suspects was found guilty of first-degree murder in June 2021, among a list of other charges, while the other suspect pleaded guilty in early 2020 to 17 counts, including murder charges.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
Anyone in Oakland County who suspects an animal is being abused or mistreated is asked to call Animal Control at 248-858-1090.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
The museum suspects a former curator of peddling the goods on eBay — in one instance, a $60,000 piece of jewelry sold for merely $48 — but has only recovered some 650 items.
—Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Simi Muhumuza, a 30-year-old creator in Brooklyn, suspects that brands are closing their plus-size lines and working less with plus-size influencers because of the availability of GLP-1s.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
Part of me even suspects the real reason the finale was so noncommittal about Mike and Eleven and their friends’ fates is so the powers that be can just write them back in as needed.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Jan. 2026
Looking back, the actor suspects the idea had been percolating long before that night, noting that behind-the-scenes conversations were likely already underway.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
Reporting child abuse and neglect in Kentucky Kentucky law requires anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to contact authorities and make a report.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Dec. 2025
It may be considered in some high-risk men or when a doctor suspects carotid disease.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Noun
Deem fired his weapon at the suspects, but no injuries were reported, and the disturbance suspect has not been apprehended.
—Verb
Silveri also suspects that some consumer trends may be helping more people cut back.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for suspects
Noun
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The varying charges against the 26 defendants, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, include bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy.—
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On Wednesday, she and two co-defendants were acquitted of criminal wrongdoing.—
Verb
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The panel picks up on the baseball-heavy clues, and guesses accordingly.—
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The team or person who guesses the most songs correctly wins.—
Verb
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Exxon, Conoco doubts But Exxon and Conoco will need reassurances to return to Venezuela, Wright said.—
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Henderson said her family doubts that Emony’s death was an accident.—
Noun
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Here are seven common culprits and tips to bring life into your living room.—
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Scroll on to discover the most common culprits behind missing socks—plus, how to keep them together in the first place.—
Verb
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Yet his rhetoric assumes that Jewish identity is synonymous with privilege, that Jewish concerns are secondary — or suspect.—
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The literary record assumes the same.—
Verb
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Continue reading … WAR OF WORDS – Rubio fires back as ABC host repeatedly questions US authority over Venezuela.—
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Commanders questions Commanders coach Dan Quinn is expected back for the 2026 season, though changes to the offense and the defense remain possible after Washington has slumped to a 4-12 record.—
Noun
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The first thing to do is to reduce the damage to the United States, the inflow of guns and criminals and immigrants and drugs into the United States, the destabilizing of a key part of the Western Hemisphere.—
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Also, place freezes with ChexSystems and the National Consumer Telecom and Utilities Exchange to stop criminals from opening bank accounts, phone lines, or utility services in his name.—
Verb
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Leo’s fine, one supposes, as evil plantation owner Calvin Candie, but the role is not a natural fit for him.—
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The first theory supposes that the Big Bang produced dense spots that didn’t collapse immediately.—
Cite this Entry
“Suspects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suspects. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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