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Suspect Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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suspect

[sษ™หˆspษ›kt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

criminal investigation

A person who is believed to have committed a crime, especially one for which there is not enough evidence to prove guilt.

Synonyms

culprit, offender, perpetrator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
suspect

Again, this word is used to refer to someone who is believed to be involved in a crime but has not yet been proven guilty. Note that it appears twice in the list, which might be a mistake.

  • They brought in the suspect for questioning.
  • The suspect claims to have an alibi for the night of the crime.
culprit

Refer to this word when pointing out someone who is responsible for a crime or problem, often after some initial evidence or a declaration of guilt.

  • The culprit behind the theft was finally caught.
  • After investigating the fire, they found the culprit was faulty wiring.
perpetrator

This word is often used in formal or legal contexts to specifically refer to someone who has committed a serious crime or violent act.

  • The perpetrator of the heinous crime was sentenced to life in prison.
  • The authorities are still searching for the perpetrators of the terrorist attack.
offender

This term is used to describe someone who has broken the law, it is a more general term and can be used for someone who commits any type of crime.

  • First-time offenders may receive a lighter sentence.
  • The program is designed to rehabilitate young offenders.

Examples of usage

  • He is the prime suspect in the murder case.
  • The police have arrested a suspect in connection with the robbery.
Context #2 | Verb

criminal investigation

To believe or have an impression that someone is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing, without sufficient evidence.

Synonyms

distrust, doubt, mistrust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
suspect

When you believe someone might be guilty of something, especially a crime, but you are not sure.

  • The police suspect him of stealing the car
  • I suspect she knows more than sheโ€™s telling us
doubt

When you are uncertain about something or you think it is unlikely to be true.

  • I doubt we'll ever see each other again
  • If you doubt yourself, you'll never achieve anything
mistrust

When you believe someone is likely to lie, cheat, or betray you, often based on past experience. This has a negative connotation.

  • He had a deep mistrust of strangers
  • The history of betrayal led to lasting mistrust between them
distrust

When you have a general feeling that you cannot trust somebody or something.

  • She has a deep distrust of politicians
  • There is a growing distrust of technology companies

Examples of usage

  • The detective suspects that the butler is lying.
  • She suspected her colleague of stealing her ideas.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'suspect'

The word 'suspect' originated from the Latin word 'suspectus', which means 'regarded with suspicion'. The term has been used in English since the 14th century, primarily in legal contexts to refer to individuals believed to be involved in criminal activities. Over time, 'suspect' has become a common term in everyday language to indicate doubt or mistrust towards someone or something.

See also: suspected, suspectly, suspicion, unsuspected, unsuspecting.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,290, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.