suspense

noun sus·pense \ sə-ˈspen(t)s \

Updated on: 3 Dec 2017

Definition of suspense

1 : the state of being suspended : suspension

2 a : mental uncertainty : anxiety

b : pleasant excitement as to a decision or outcome

a novel of suspense

3 : the state or character of being undecided or doubtful : indecisiveness

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suspenseful

play \-fəl\ adjective

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suspensefully

play \-fə-lē\ adverb

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suspensefulness

play \-fəl-nəs\ noun

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suspenseless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See suspense defined for English-language learners

See suspense defined for kids

Examples of suspense in a Sentence

I can't bear the suspense.
The suspense builds as the story progresses.
Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense.
The movie is a suspense thriller.

Recent Examples of suspense from the Web

How would our young demographic deal with an episode that doesn’t clearly end but leaves the viewer in suspense for a week?

— aaron couch, The Hollywood Reporter, "'X-Men' at 25: The Unlikely Story of the Animated Hit No Network Wanted," 30 Oct. 2017
That is, someone whose role is to inject a bit of public excitement, suspense, and a semblance of real competition into what has become a tired, familiar, and utterly predictable old horse race.

— fred weir, The Christian Science Monitor, "With celeb-journalist's candidacy, stage is set for Putin's 2018 reelection," 25 Oct. 2017
Zlatan kept everyone in suspense for months after his knee ligament injury at the back end of last season.

— SI.com, "PHOTOS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Reveals His 'Upgraded' Manchester United Shirt Number on Twitter," 8 Sep. 2017
Telling a story from the past creates a certain distance, softening the suspense.

— mary ann gwinn / lit life columnist, The Seattle Times, "John le Carre comes back in from the cold with memorable characters in new novel," 6 Sep. 2017
Season 7 of Game of Thrones has finally come to a close, leaving everyone in terrible suspense for at least another year.

— chanel vargas, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need to Know About the Golden Company on Game of Thrones," 28 Aug. 2017
Peltz’s proxy fight ranked among the most suspense-laden annual meetings in corporate history.

— Fortune, "Billionaire Investor Nelson Peltz Gives the Blow-by-Blow of His P&G Proxy Fight," 10 Oct. 2017
Host Tom Bergeron paused, doing his part to add to the suspense.

— chris varias, Cincinnati.com, "Dancing with the Stars: Nick Lachey wasn't sure if he and Peta Murgatroyd would be eliminated," 27 Sep. 2017
Existential terror, for sure, an awareness that one’s life may be snuffed out at any moment, but also classic suspense.

— joe morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Dunkirk’ Review: Finding Humanity in Calamity," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suspense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of suspense

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from suspendre

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First Known Use: 15th century

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suspense Synonyms

Synonyms

cold storage, deep freeze, doldrums, dormancy, holding pattern, latency, moratorium, quiescence, suspended animation, abeyance, suspension

Antonyms

continuance, continuation

Related Words

inaction, inertia, inertness, motionlessness; impasse, standstill; coma, hibernation, hypnosis, repose, rest, sleep, slumber, torpor; recess, recession, remission; downtime, idleness, layoff

Near Antonyms

recommencement, renewal, resumption, resuscitation

SUSPENSE Defined for English Language Learners

suspense

noun

Definition of suspense for English Language Learners

: a feeling or state of nervousness or excitement caused by wondering what will happen

SUSPENSE Defined for Kids

suspense

noun sus·pense \ sə-ˈspens \

Definition of suspense for Students

: uncertainty, worry, or excitement in wondering about the result of something

Annemarie always tried … to build up the suspense and tantalize her sister.
—Lois Lowry, Number the Stars

Learn More about suspense

See words that rhyme with suspense Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for suspense Spanish Central: Translation of suspense Nglish: Translation of suspense for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of suspense for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about suspense

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SUSPENSE Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of suspense for English Language Learners

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