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

As in most — all? — detective fiction, one case reveals another; suspense springs from never knowing exactly where we’re headed.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s announcement ends the suspense that built since The Washington Post reported on 16 November that Bhattacharya was a top contender for the NIH post.

From Science Magazine

After several failed attempts at suspense novels, Bradford stopped and took stock.

From BBC

It’s disputed history, for one thing, which means it unnecessarily slathers genre suspense on an already overwrought, cookie-cutter and ideologically ultra-confident biography.

From Los Angeles Times

Fear, suspense, terror — those aren’t really on the menu at one of these installments.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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