suspensive
Americanadjective
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pertaining to or characterized by suspension.
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undecided in mind.
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pertaining to or characterized by suspense.
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(of words, phrases, etc.) characterized by or expressing suspense; keeping the reader or listener in suspense.
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having the effect of suspending the operation of something.
adjective
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having the power of deferment; effecting suspension
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causing, characterized by, or relating to suspense
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inclined to defer judgment; undecided
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of suspensive
1540–50; < Medieval Latin suspēnsīvus, equivalent to suspēns ( us ) ( see suspense) + -īvus -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The appeal is not suspensive, meaning it does not immediately block the construction of the detention centre while the legal process is ongoing.
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
An appeal has no suspensive effect, meaning people can be deporting during a pending trial.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 30, 2023
Mr. Titterton has the Du Maurier manner, but his jocular skittishness, aided by asterisks, exclamation marks and suspensive dots, has curiously little behind it.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 147, August 12, 1914 by Seaman, Owen, Sir
Then there was a suspensive silence, as if she hesitated at the door; then the latch was lifted and she came in.
From Jerome, A Poor Man A Novel by Freeman, Mary Eleanor Wilkins
Shall that negative be absolute, or suspensive only?
From Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 1 by Randolph, Thomas Jefferson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
