suspect

Universal Words verb, noun, adjective verb (not used in the progressive tenses) 1 to have an idea that sth is probably true or likely to happen, especially sth bad, but without having definite proof: [VN] If you suspect a gas leak, do not strike a match or even turn on an electric light. * Suspecting nothing, he walked right into the trap. * I didn't want the neighbours suspecting anything. * [V(that)] I began to suspect (that) they were trying to get rid of me. * I suspect (that) she might be lying. * [V] As I had suspected all along, he was not a real policeman. [also VNtoinf, VNthat] 2 [VN] to be suspicious about sth; to not trust sth: I suspected her motives in offering to help. 3 [VN] ~ sb (of sth / of doing sth) to have an idea that sb is guilty of sth, without having definite proof: He resigned after being suspected of theft. * I suspected her of damaging the equipment. * The drug is suspected of causing over 200 deaths. * Whom do the police suspect? seealsoSUSPICION, SUSPICIOUS suspected adjective: a suspected broken arm * suspected tax evasion * suspected terrorists noun a person who is suspected of a crime or of having done sth wrong: a murder suspect * He is the prime suspect in the case. * Five suspects have been detained for questioning. * Do you have a list of likely suspects? adjective 1 that may be false and that cannot be relied on: Some of the evidence they produced was highly suspect. 2 that you suspect to be dangerous or illegal: a suspect package (= one that may contain drugs, a bomb, etc.) * a controlled explosion of a suspect device (= a bomb)