# suspect

> English word · Verb · IPA /səˈspɛkt/ · frequency rank #2,967

## Definitions
1. To imagine or suppose (something) to be true, or to exist, without proof.
2. To distrust or have doubts about (something or someone).
3. To believe (someone) to be guilty.
4. To have suspicion.
5. To look up to; to respect.

## Etymology
From Old French suspect, from Latin suspectus, perfect passive participle of suspiciō (“mistrust, suspect”), from sub (“under”), + speciō (“watch, look at”).

## Easily confused with
- **suspend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/suspect-vs-suspend)
- **suspected** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/suspect-vs-suspected)
- **subject** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/subject-vs-suspect)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ssupect`, `ssuspect`, `supsect`, `susepct`, `suspcet`, `suspecct`, `suspectt`, `suspetc`, `susppect`, `susspect`, `usspect`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/suspect