suspect
SUSS-pekt
/ˈsʌspɛkt/
A person believed to be guilty of a crime or offense.
Indicates suspicion without formal conviction; legally presumed innocent.
The story behind the word. Suspect originates from Latin 'sub-' (under) and 'specere' (to look). It originally meant looking at someone sideways or from under your eyebrows with distrust.
Word relationships
- accused: The accused has been formally charged in court, whereas a suspect is merely under investigation.
- person of interest: Person of interest is broader and avoids formal accusation.
- victim: The person harmed by a crime rather than suspected of committing it.
Commonly confused with
- perpetrator: A perpetrator actually committed the crime; a suspect is only believed to have committed it.
Word family
- suspicion (noun): A feeling or belief that someone is guilty of a wrong
- suspicious (adjective): Giving rise to or feeling distrust
Collocations
- prime suspect
- suspect in the case
- named a suspect
- suspect list
Idioms & expressions
- usual suspects
Example sentences
- "Police brought in the prime suspect for questioning regarding the bank robbery." Police report
- "The accounting records presented during the corporate audit appeared highly suspect." Descriptive adjective
Memory hook
LOOK UNDER (sub-specere) your eyebrows at a SUSPECT. Person believed guilty.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'convict' or 'perpetrator', who have been proven guilty.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'the usual suspects' became famous worldwide after the release of the 1942 classic film Casablanca.
Related words
Explore more words
convict, allegation, detention, defendant, circumstantial, guilty
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