suspense

[ suh-spens ]

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.

suspense

/ 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

Derived Forms

• susˈpenseful, adjective

Other Words From

• sus·penseful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspense¹

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspense¹

C15: from Medieval Latin suspensum delay, from Latin suspendere to hang up; see suspend

Example Sentences

Unfortunately, there’s just no real suspense to the various challenges facing our heroes.

From Washington Post

It’s there that this publishing satire transforms into a lively suspense novel as Florence is forced to reckon with the person she’s become in her quest for fame.

From Time

Highsmith’s work will give you an unforgettable mix of pleasure and suspense.

From Washington Blade

This is one of those games that knows how to ratchet up the suspense to get you talking to yourself.

From Washington Post

A Rose Bowl national semifinal widely forecast to lack suspense wound up lacking suspense, unless you want to count the art exhibit.

From Washington Post

It has all the elements necessary for drama, controversy, and suspense.

From The Daily Beast

The suspense was only over who would kill it: Obama or the Democrats.

From The Daily Beast

Like any good suspense novelist, Shields is a master of evasion and sleight-of-hand.

From The Daily Beast

But those two identifications are still subjects of debate, a problem that adds to the suspense now mounting at Amphipolis.

From The Daily Beast

Is it possible that there is an anti-feminist element buried in the nature of suspense itself?

From The Daily Beast

The suspense with which Louis listened to this perfidious confederation, was almost insufferable.

From Project Gutenberg

During so long drawn out a suspense I tried to ease the tension by dictation.

From Project Gutenberg

The suspense of waiting for the committee to decide upon the winner of the prize was hard to endure indeed.

From Project Gutenberg

The dinner at Sivert Jespersen's the following day was silent, for all were in a state of suspense.

From Project Gutenberg

For awhile it almost seemed as though she were about to do this very thing, and the suspense nearly drove the girls frantic.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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