Suspect vs. Doubt: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Suspect" implies thinking something is likely true or probable, while "doubt" signifies a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
Difference Between Suspect and Doubt
"Suspect" and "doubt" both deal with uncertainties, yet their implications diverge. "Suspect," as a verb, indicates a belief or intuition that something is probable or true without concrete evidence. For example, one might suspect that a friend is throwing a surprise party if there are subtle hints. In contrast, "doubt" is rooted in skepticism, suggesting disbelief or a lack of certainty about something's veracity or occurrence.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Furthermore, "suspect" can also be a noun, referring to a person believed to have committed a crime. This usage is particularly common in legal and crime-related contexts. "Doubt," on the other hand, remains closely associated with uncertainty and does not typically refer to individuals.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
In addition, "doubt" can be used in positive contexts, indicating thoroughness or caution. For instance, saying "When in doubt, double-check" encourages prudence. "Suspect," however, leans more towards an assumption or speculation, sometimes based on intuition or indirect evidence.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
To sum it up, while both terms navigate the realm of uncertainty, "suspect" leans towards speculating about a likelihood, while "doubt" highlights skepticism or a feeling of uncertainty.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Suspect vs. Doubt Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Speculating something is likely true
Feeling uncertain or skeptical
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Function
Implies likelihood without solid evidence
Indicates lack of conviction or certainty
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Contexts
Legal, everyday assumptions
Skepticism, prudence, everyday uncertainty
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Grammatical Role
Can be a verb (to suspect) or noun (a suspect)
Primarily a noun, but also used as a verb ("to doubt something")
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023
Suspect vs. Doubt Definitions
◉Suspect
Believe something to be true without solid evidence.
I suspect she knows more than she's letting on.
Levi
Sep 26, 2023
◉Suspect
A person believed to have committed a crime.
The police have identified a suspect.
William
Sep 26, 2023
◉Suspect
Have an idea or impression of the existence, presence, or truth of something without certain proof.
If you suspect a gas leak, do not turn on any lights.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Doubt
To be undecided or skeptical about
began to doubt some accepted doctrines.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
To consider (something) to be true or probable on little or no evidence
I suspect they are very disappointed.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
To tend to disbelieve; distrust
doubts politicians when they make sweeping statements.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
To consider (a person) guilty without proof
The police suspect her of murder.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
The state of being uncertain about the truth or reliability of something.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
often doubts A feeling of uncertainty or distrust
had doubts about his ability.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
(transitive) To imagine or suppose (something) to be true, or to exist, without proof.
to suspect the presence of disease
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
A point about which one is uncertain or skeptical
reassured me by answering my doubts.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
(transitive) To distrust or have doubts about (something or someone).
to suspect the truth of a story
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
The condition of being unsettled or unresolved
an outcome still in doubt.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
(transitive) To believe (someone) to be guilty.
I suspect him of being the thief.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
(ambitransitive) To be undecided about; to lack confidence in; to disbelieve, to question.
He doubted that was really what you meant.
I had no wish to go, though I doubt if they would have noticed me even if I had.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
A person who is suspected of something, in particular of committing a crime.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
Disbelief or uncertainty (about something); (countable) a particular instance of such disbelief or uncertainty.
There was some doubt as to who the child's real father was.
I have doubts about how to convert this code to JavaScript.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
Suspicious; inspiring distrust.
Suspect [was] his face, suspect his word also.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
To waver in opinion or judgment; to be in uncertainty as to belief respecting anything; to hesitate in belief; to be undecided as to the truth of the negative or the affirmative proposition; to b e undetermined.
Even in matters divine, concerning some things, we may lawfully doubt, and suspend our judgment.
To try your love and make you doubt of mine.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
One who, or that which, is suspected; an object of suspicion; - formerly applied to persons and things; now, only to persons suspected of crime.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
To question or hold questionable; to withhold assent to; to hesitate to believe, or to be inclined not to believe; to withhold confidence from; to distrust; as, I have heard the story, but I doubt the truth of it.
To admire superior sense, and doubt their own!
I doubt not that however changed, you keepSo much of what is graceful.
We doubt not nowBut every rub is smoothed on our way.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
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.
From her hand I could suspect no ill.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive of.
Edmond [was a] good man and doubted God.
I doubt some foul play.
That I of doubted danger had no fear.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
To imagine to be guilty, upon slight evidence, or without proof; as, to suspect one of equivocation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
To fill with fear; to affright.
The virtues of the valiant CaratachMore doubt me than all Britain.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
To hold to be uncertain; to doubt; to mistrust; to distruct; as, to suspect the truth of a story.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
A fluctuation of mind arising from defect of knowledge or evidence; uncertainty of judgment or mind; unsettled state of opinion concerning the reality of an event, or the truth of an assertion, etc.; hesitation.
Doubt is the beginning and the end of our efforts to know.
Doubt, in order to be operative in requiring an acquittal, is not the want of perfect certainty (which can never exist in any question of fact) but a defect of proof preventing a reasonable assurance of quilt.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
To imagine guilt; to have a suspicion or suspicions; to be suspicious.
If I suspect without cause, why then make sport at me.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread.
I stand in doubt of you.
Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection.
To every doubt your answer is the same.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
imagine to be the case or true or probable;
I suspect he is a fugitive
I surmised that the butler did it
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
uncertainty about the truth or factuality of existence of something;
the dubiousness of his claim
there is no question about the validity of the enterprise
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
consider unlikely or have doubts about;
I doubt that she will accept his proposal of marriage
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
hold in suspicion; believe to be guilty;
The U.S. suspected Bin Laden as the mastermind behind the terrorist attacks
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Doubt
lack confidence in or have doubts about;
I doubt these reports
I suspect her true motives
she distrusts her stepmother
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Suspect
not as expected;
there was something fishy about the accident
up to some funny business
some definitely queer goings-on
a shady deal
her motives were suspect
suspicious behavior
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
Suspect vs. Doubt Frequently Asked Questions
Are suspect and doubt synonyms?
While related to uncertainty, they're not synonyms; "suspect" implies likely truth, while "doubt" shows skepticism.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Can suspect be a person?
Yes, a "suspect" can refer to someone believed to have committed a crime.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Is doubt always negative?
Not always; doubt can indicate prudence or thoroughness in some contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Can I say "I suspect his truthfulness"?
Yes, it means you believe he's likely being truthful, but lack solid proof.
Olivia
Sep 26, 2023
Does suspecting something mean you're sure about it?
No, it means you believe it's probable, but you're not certain.
William
Sep 26, 2023
Is "doubtful" related to "doubt"?
Yes, "doubtful" is an adjective meaning uncertain or likely not true.
Jonathan
Sep 26, 2023
Which is stronger, suspecting or doubting?
It's context-dependent, but doubting often indicates stronger uncertainty.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
If you "suspect" something, do you lack evidence?
Typically, suspecting implies lacking solid proof but thinking something is likely true based on hints or intuition.
William
Sep 26, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
