Definition of Suspense

1. Noun. Apprehension about what is going to happen.

Generic synonyms: Apprehension, Apprehensiveness, Dread

2. Noun. An uncertain cognitive state. "The matter remained in suspense for several years"

3. Noun. Excited anticipation of an approaching climax. "The play kept the audience in suspense"
Generic synonyms: Anticipation, Expectancy

Definition of Suspense

1. a. Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.

2. n. The state of being suspended; specifically, a state of uncertainty and expectation, with anxiety or apprehension; indetermination; indecision; as, the suspense of a person waiting for the verdict of a jury.

Definition of Suspense

1. Noun. the condition of being suspended ¹

2. Noun. the pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc ¹

3. Noun. the unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Suspense

1. a state of mental uncertainty or excitement [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Suspense

suspended
suspended animation
suspended cymbal
suspended cymbals
suspendee
suspendees
suspender
suspender belt
suspendered
suspenders
suspending
suspends
suspens
suspensation
suspensations
suspense (current term)
suspense account
suspenseful
suspensefully
suspensefulness
suspenseless
suspenser
suspensers
suspenses
suspensibilities
suspensibility
suspensible
suspension
suspension bridge
suspension of disbelief

Literary usage of Suspense

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Dictionary of the English Language: In which the Words are Deduced from ...by Samuel Johnson by Samuel Johnson (1805)
"3. Held in doubt; held in expectation. The great light of day yet wants to run Much of his race, tho* steep, suspense in hear'a Held by thy voice. ..."

2. Accounting Practice and Procedure by Arthur Lowes Dickinson (1913)
"suspense Credits Under suspense Credits should be grouped items which in all probability will ultimately form credits to Income or Surplus; ..."

3. Adam Bede by George Eliot (1893)
"THE HOURS OF suspense. ON Sunday morning, when the church bells in Stoni- ton were ringing for morning service, Bartle Massey re-entered Adam's room after a ..."

4. Twelve Years a Slave: Narrative of Solomon Northup, a Citizen of New-York by Solomon Northup (1855)
"PARKER AND PERRY THB FEVER OF suspense DISAPPOINTMENTS BASS ENDEAVORS TO CHEEB ME MY FAITH IN HIM. IN the month of June, 1852, in pursuance of a previous ..."

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