Sus‐pect″, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Suspected; p. pr. & vb. n.Suspecting.] 1. To imagine to exist; to have a slight or vague opinion of the existence of, without proof, and often upon weak evidence or no evidence; to mistrust; to surmise; — commonly used regarding something unfavorable, hurtful, or wrong; as, to suspect the presence of disease.
Nothing makes a man suspect much, more than to know little; and therefore men should remedy suspicion by procuring to know more. Bacon.
From her hand I could suspect no ill. Milton.
2. To imagine to be guilty, upon slight evidence, or without proof; as, to suspect one of equivocation.
3. To hold to be uncertain; to doubt; to mistrust; to distruct; as, to suspect the truth of a story. Addison.
4. To look up to; to respect.
Syn. — To mistrust; distrust; surmise; doubt.