suspense
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.
a state of mental indecision.
undecided or doubtful condition, as of affairs: For a few days matters hung in suspense.
the state or condition of being suspended.
Origin of suspense
1Other words from suspense
- sus·pense·ful, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use suspense in a sentence
It may leave a bad taste in your mouth, but — unlike the slew of “Gone Girl” knockoffs that clog the offerings of suspense fiction these days — it won’t bore you.
Sure, you may be grossed out, but ‘A Certain Hunger’ is a naughty pleasure | Maureen Corrigan | December 11, 2020 | Washington PostIf, after the election, you aren’t completely exhausted by the very idea of suspense, try any of these five late-in-the-year top-notch mysteries and thrillers, which are a welcome reminder that suspense can be fun.
Love suspense? Here are 5 new thrillers that will have you on the edge of your seat. | Richard Lipez | November 30, 2020 | Washington PostSo I'm hopeful that Suits can bring a fitting mix of suspense, action, and humor to Breach and just let Willis be Willis.
Bruce Willis returns to space to kick some alien derriere in Breach trailer | Jennifer Ouellette | November 12, 2020 | Ars Technica“We’re ready to get going, even though there’s some suspense about whether we’ll be in the majority or not, which will be answered in Georgia on January 5th,” McConnell said at a news conference with members of the GOP leadership Tuesday morning.
Senators elect McConnell, Schumer as leaders in next Congress, but majority still to be decided | Felicia Sonmez | November 10, 2020 | Washington PostThe show maintains enough suspense and tension to spur things along, at least for the first few episodes.
Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor is a calm, loving study in how to exorcise your ghosts | Aja Romano | October 9, 2020 | Vox
A sure-fire draft pick turned into a 50-50 chance, and then a suspenseful wait through the final rounds of the NFL draft.
“I wanted to create a suspenseful sequence,” he explained to the crowd.
But there will be enough Tea Party members willing to create enough mischief to make things suspenseful again.
Obamacare, Impeachment, Iran, and More Political Predictions for 2014 | Michael Tomasky | December 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST“Omar” is funny and suspenseful, with the perfect balance of romance and action.
After an incredibly suspenseful standoff, the marksmen take out the pirates in the lifeboat, saving Phillips.
Tom Hanks on His Riveting Oscar Moment That Ends ‘Captain Phillips’ | Marlow Stern | October 15, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for suspense
/ (səˈspɛns) /
the condition of being insecure or uncertain: the matter of the succession remained in suspense for many years
mental uncertainty; anxiety: their father's illness kept them in a state of suspense
excitement felt at the approach of the climax: a play of terrifying suspense
the condition of being suspended
Origin of suspense
1Derived forms of suspense
- suspenseful, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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