suspense

noun

sus·​pense sə-ˈspen(t)s How to pronounce suspense (audio)
1
: the state of being suspended : suspension
2
a
: mental uncertainty : anxiety
b
: pleasant excitement as to a decision or outcome
a novel of suspense
3
: the state or character of being undecided or doubtful : indecisiveness
suspenseful adjective
suspensefully adverb
suspensefulness noun
suspenseless adjective

Examples of suspense in a Sentence

I can't bear the suspense. The suspense builds as the story progresses. Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense. The movie is a suspense thriller.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lionsgate has dated the suspense thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow, the first feature film from pop star The Weeknd, for a May 16, 2025 North American release. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2024 Lionsgate’s Trey Edward Shults directed and written suspense thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow starring The Weeknd in his big screen debut, Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, is getting a release date of May 16. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024 In Landman, the show taps into the same high-drama appeal with intense action and suspense, including catastrophic accidents and explosive confrontations. Jay R. Young, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 December 18, 2024 The Housemaid is the next project for director Paul Feig (who made Bridesmaids and A Simple Favor, among others), and the movie promises to be filled with mystery and suspense. Paloma González, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for suspense 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from suspendre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suspense was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near suspense

Cite this Entry

“Suspense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suspense. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

suspense

noun
sus·​pense sə-ˈspen(t)s How to pronounce suspense (audio)
1
: the state of being suspended : suspension
2
a
: mental uncertainty : anxiety
b
: pleasant excitement caused by wondering what will happen
a novel of suspense
3
: the state of being undecided
suspenseful adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on suspense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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