Suspect Meaning
Suspect Definition & Usage
To believe that someone or something is guilty of a crime, wrongdoing, or harmful action without having direct proof.
Examples
- "I suspect he took my book, but I don’t have any proof."
- "The police suspect her involvement in the robbery."
- "Do you suspect anyone might be behind the mysterious disappearance?"
- "We suspect the company is hiding some important details from the public."
- "I can't help but suspect that he knows more than he's letting on."
To doubt the truth or validity of something or someone.
Examples
- "I suspect the information you’ve given me might be inaccurate."
- "He suspected that the claims about the new policy were exaggerated."
- "I suspect there may be some confusion about the timeline."
- "She suspects the decision was made hastily without enough research."
- "Many people suspect that the deal was too good to be true."
A person who is believed to be involved in a crime or wrongdoing, but who has not been proven guilty.
Examples
- "The suspect was taken into custody for questioning."
- "We still don’t know who the suspect is in the recent case."
- "They released a sketch of the suspect in the robbery."
- "The police are trying to identify the suspect in the hit-and-run incident."
- "The prime suspect in the murder case is still at large."
Cultural Context
The term 'suspect' originates from the Latin word 'suspicere,' meaning 'to look up at' or 'to look with doubt,' which later evolved into the meaning of having doubts or mistrust towards something or someone. It has strong associations with criminal investigations, as law enforcement frequently 'suspects' individuals before they are formally charged with a crime. However, it is also commonly used in non-criminal contexts to describe doubts or suspicions regarding people's actions, statements, or situations.
The Missing Necklace
Story
The Missing Necklace
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when the grand clock at the entrance of the estate struck four. Detective Anna Davis stood near the parlor window, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the room where the priceless necklace had vanished earlier that morning. The family was in an uproar, the staff frantic, and Anna’s thoughts were racing. She had been on many cases, but something about this one felt different. A sense of suspicion lingered in the air. "I suspect the thief is one of the household staff," Anna murmured, turning toward the family gathered in the sitting room. Mr. Aldridge, the elderly owner of the estate, was wringing his hands, his face pale. "You think so?" he asked, his voice trembling. "But who would do such a thing?" Anna crossed the room, her mind piecing together the events. She had noticed that the maid, Mary, had been acting strangely ever since the incident. She was overly nervous, constantly glancing over her shoulder, and had asked to leave early that morning. "Yes, I suspect Mary," Anna replied, but she had no solid proof yet. "There’s something off about her behavior. But before making any accusations, I need to gather more evidence." She turned her attention back to the scene, scanning for any sign of the missing necklace. It wasn’t in the obvious places, but her experience told her the answer would come from the details. As she walked past the fireplace, something caught her eye. A glimmer of gold beneath the edge of the rug. The necklace. It had been hidden, but not very well. She knelt down, retrieving it carefully. A soft laugh escaped her lips as she stood up. The suspect wasn’t who she had initially suspected. "It seems our thief was the butler, after all," she said, turning to the astonished family. "He tried to frame Mary by planting the necklace near her room." The butler, who had been standing quietly in the corner, now looked like he had been caught in a trap. He tried to maintain his composure, but the color drained from his face as Anna presented the evidence. The case was closed, but Anna couldn't shake the feeling that she had been too quick to suspect someone without proof. In her profession, you could never be too careful.
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