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
In Sweden, for example, the king possessed independent legislative power and his veto was absolute; in Norway he possessed no such independent prerogative and his veto was only suspensive.
From The Governments of Europe by Frederic Austin Ogg
As the following quotation shows, it is interesting as detailing a few of the steps by which Darwin reached that suspensive stage.
From Pioneers of Evolution from Thales to Huxley With an Intermediate Chapter on the Causes of Arrest of the Movement by Edward Clodd
The King’s veto over legal questions is only suspensive, but he is not represented as the helpless tool of Storthing and Council.
From The Swedish-Norwegian Union Crisis A History with Documents by Karl Nordlund
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