suspense

American  

[suh-spens] / səˈspɛns /

noun

1. a state or condition of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety.

2. a state of mental indecision.

3. undecided or doubtful condition, as of affairs.

   For a few days matters hung in suspense.

4. the state or condition of being suspended.

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suspense British  

/ səˈspɛns /

noun

1. the condition of being insecure or uncertain

   the matter of the succession remained in suspense for many years

2. mental uncertainty; anxiety

   their father's illness kept them in a state of suspense

3. excitement felt at the approach of the climax

   a play of terrifying suspense

4. the condition of being suspended

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Other Word Forms

• suspenseful adjective

Etymology

Origin of suspense

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin suspēnsum deferment, suspension, uncertainty, noun use of neuter of Latin suspēnsus hung up, doubtful, in suspense (past participle of suspendere to hang up, leave undecided), equivalent to sus- sus- + pēnsus ( pend-, stem of pendere (translation) to hang ( pend ) + -tus past participle suffix, with dt > s )

Example Sentences

More than most Cold War thrillers, this true story offers genuine suspense—and genuine insight into Mitrokhin’s complex motivations.

From The Wall Street Journal

The drawings inject suspense even into Melville’s encyclopedic chapters on cetacean anatomy.

From The Wall Street Journal

In others, it is about the drama and suspense of a well-told tale, or riveting sound effects.

From The Wall Street Journal

Griff and Doug are focused on making a suspense picture that contains hidden social value or, as they keep saying, “Themes!”

From The Wall Street Journal

The suspense is less about whether more victims will be heard and more about what being named will do to influential men.

From Salon

Related Words

• anxiety
• apprehension
• confusion
• doubt
• insecurity
• tension
• thriller
• uncertainty