¹suspicion

noun sus·pi·cion \sə-ˈspi-shən\

: a feeling that someone is possibly guilty of a crime or of doing something wrong

: a feeling that something bad is likely or true

: a feeling of doubt

Full Definition of SUSPICION

a : the act or an instance of suspecting something wrong without proof or on slight evidence : mistrust

b : a state of mental uneasiness and uncertainty : doubt

: a barely detectable amount : trace <just a suspicion of garlic>

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Origin of SUSPICION

Middle English suspecioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin suspicion-, suspicio, from suspicere to suspect — more at suspect

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SUSPICION

Synonyms: distrust, distrustfulness, dubiety, dubitation [archaic], incertitude, misdoubt, misgiving, mistrust, mistrustfulness, query, reservation, skepticism, doubt, uncertainty

Antonyms: assurance, belief, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, sureness, surety, trust

Synonym Discussion of SUSPICION

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something. uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result <assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty>. doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision <plagued by doubts as to what to do>. dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions <felt some dubiety about its practicality>. skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence <an economic forecast greeted with skepticism>. suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone <regarded the stranger with suspicion>. mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion <had a great mistrust of doctors>.