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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Suspect Meaning: Think Likely or Believe Guilty? (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：think likely (suspect)

suspect 🔊

/səˈspekt/

to think something might be true or happen, but you're not sure yet.

Person thinking suspect milk might be spoiled, thought bubble with question mark

think likely 🔊

➕

/θɪŋk ˈlaɪkli/

To have an idea that something might be true or might happen, but without having proof.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'suspicere' (sub- 'under' + specere 'to look'): to look beneath, i.e., suspect.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'sus' (under) + 'spect' (look): when you suspect, you look under the surface for the truth.

📖 Example

I have a sore throat and feel tired; I suspect I'm catching a cold. 🔊 I have a sore throat and feel tired; I suspect I'm catching a cold.

🔗 Collocations

suspect foul play – believe that a crime or dishonest act has occurred

suspect something is wrong – believe that there is a problem or issue

begin to suspect – start having a feeling that something may be true

🔄 Synonyms

suppose (v.) – to think that something is likely, often without concrete evidence

guess (v.) – to form an opinion or estimate about something without sufficient information

conjecture (v.) – to form an opinion or theory based on incomplete evidence

🚫 Antonyms

know (v.) – to be completely certain about something

ascertain (v.) – to find out something with certainty

confirm (v.) – to establish the truth or correctness of something

🌱 Derivatives

suspicion (n.) – a feeling that something may be true or that someone is guilty

suspicious (adj.) – having or showing a feeling that something is wrong or that someone is guilty

suspected (adj.) – believed to be likely or guilty without proof

📖 Cultural Story

Rooted in Latin 'suspicere', from 'sub-' (under) and 'specere' (to look). Romans used it to imply examining someone with mistrust, now common in legal contexts.

Meaning 2：believe guilty (suspect)

suspect 🔊

/səˈspekt/

to think someone has likely done something wrong, especially a crime.

Detective pointing at suspect photo on evidence board with red strings

believe guilty 🔊

➕

/bɪˈliːv ˈɡɪlti/

To think that someone has done something illegal or wrong, often based on evidence or circumstances.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The detective suspects the victim's son stole the money because he was in the house at the time. 🔊 The detective suspects the victim's son stole the money because he was in the house at the time.

🔗 Collocations

suspect someone of doing something – believe that a particular person has committed a specific act

strongly suspect – have a powerful feeling that someone is guilty

suspect a motive – believe that someone has a hidden reason for their actions

🔄 Synonyms

distrust (v.) – to have a lack of trust or confidence in someone, especially regarding honesty

doubt (v.) – to be uncertain about someone's innocence or truthfulness

question (v.) – to express uncertainty or challenge the truth of someone's actions

🚫 Antonyms

trust (v.) – to believe that someone is honest or innocent

exonerate (v.) – to officially clear someone of blame or guilt

clear (v.) – to prove that someone is not guilty

🌱 Derivatives

suspicion (n.) – a feeling that someone may be guilty of something

suspicious (adj.) – causing or showing a feeling that someone is guilty

suspected (adj.) – believed to be guilty of a crime without conclusive evidence