Suspense
[sə'spens] or [sə'spɛns]
Definition
(noun.) an uncertain cognitive state; 'the matter remained in suspense for several years'.
(noun.) excited anticipation of an approaching climax; 'the play kept the audience in suspense'.
(noun.) apprehension about what is going to happen.
Checker: Osbert--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.
(a.) Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.
(a.) 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.
(a.) Cessation for a time; stop; pause.
(a.) A temporary cessation of one's right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.
Typed by Annette
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Uncertainty, indetermination, incertitude.[2]. Hesitation, hesitancy, irresolution, doubt, indecision, vacillation, wavering, scruple, misgiving.[3]. Suspension, intermission, remission, interruption, cessation, stoppage, stop, respite, pause, rest, stay, quiescence.
Checked by Aida
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Protraction, uncertainty, doubt, solicitude, cessation, pause, waiting,intermission, discontinuance, abeyance, stoppage, indetermination, indecision
ANT:Determination, settlement, execution, continuance, uninterruption, revival,determination, decision, finality
Typed by Gus
Examples
- Suspense is irksome, disappointment bitter. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- And he too waited in the magical steadfastness of suspense, for her to take this knowledge of him as he had taken it of her. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Beth hurried on in a flutter of suspense. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Papa felt so acutely--you know you are not strong, and there must have been such terrible suspense to go through. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Suspense was the devil, and he could not think why Leinster bothered at all about going to Spain unless he really had some such intention. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Suspense was insufferable; so I ventured to send my servant to inquire when the family were expected in London. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- There was a moment of awful suspense as the procession waited for the Honourable Samuel Slumkey to step into his carriage. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Such events are very interesting, but the suspense of them cannot last long. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Your suspense is nearly ended, my darling; he shall be restored to you within a few hours; I have encompassed him with every protection. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- If I could but know one thing, what a burden of suspense would be lifted from my shoulders! Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- It was the second in Mr. Micawber's week of suspense. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Margaret could not bear the sight of the suspense, which was even more distressing to her father than to herself. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- He may be coming now, and to meet him will save some minutes of suspense. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- The suspense seemed to have taken a new lease, and to have begun afresh from a recent date. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Of late it had been easy enough for me to look sad: a cankering evil sat at my heart and drained my happiness at its source--the evil of suspense. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
Inputed by Gracie