noun

suspicion

suspicion, doubt, mistrust, inkling

He was arrested on suspicion of theft.

He was arrested on suspicion of theft.

She had a suspicion that he was lying.

She had a suspicion that he was lying.

There was a suspicion of garlic in the sauce.

There was a suspicion of garlic in the sauce.

((on suspicion of sth.)) as the reason for an arrest/investigation He was arrested on suspicion of theft.

((a suspicion that...)) a belief that something is true I have a suspicion that she knows more.

((under suspicion)) being suspected by others He is under suspicion for the crime.

Synonyms: doubt, mistrust, misgiving; Antonyms: trust, certainty, belief

From Latin 'suspicere' (to look at from below, mistrust), from 'sub-' (under) + 'specere' (to look at). The idea is of looking at someone secretly or from a low angle, implying mistrust.

Imagine looking at someone from under your eyebrows ('sub-specere'), a classic gesture of mistrust or 'suspicion'.

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