Synonyms of suspense

suspense

noun

sə-ˈspen(t)s 

as in suspension

a state of temporary inactivity

the lawsuit is in suspense until the court makes a decision concerning a related lawsuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• suspension
• abeyance
• coma
• moratorium
• cold storage
• latency
• suspended animation
• inertia
• quiescence
• recession
• dormancy
• inaction
• rest
• doldrums
• deep freeze
• holding pattern
• standstill
• recess
• inertness
• motionlessness
• impasse
• sleep
• hypnosis
• slumber
• hibernation
• remission
• torpor
• downtime
• repose
• layoff
• idleness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuation
• continuance
• renewal
• resuscitation
• resumption
• recommencement

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of suspense

Atlanta heat and late-day storms are expected to add their usual layer of suspense. —Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

But because most of the films are first and foremost suspense stories about surviving the Xenomorphs, these ideas are often teased only briefly, leaving fans of the franchise to fill in the gaps on their own. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025

That’s not to say there’s a great deal of suspense surrounding this category, because there most definitely is not. —Team Tvline, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025

Each storyline ends with a violent cliffhanger or strange event that haunts the next strand and keeps suspense at a fever pitch. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2025