How to pronounce suspect
Say it like suh-SPEKT. Suspect has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEKT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suspect. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- SPEKT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suspect pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SPEKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of suspect
American and British speakers say suspect in essentially the same way: /səˈspɛkt/ in the US and /səˈspɛkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: suh-SPEKT.
Other ways to say suspect
Suspect also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- SUHS-pekt /ˈsʌˌspɛkt/
What does suspect mean?
- imagine to be the case or true or probable“I suspect he is a fugitive”“I surmised that the butler did it”
- regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
- hold in suspicion; believe to be guilty“The U.S. suspected Bin Laden as the mastermind behind the terrorist attacks”
- someone who is under suspicion
- a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
- not as expected“there was something fishy about the accident”“up to some funny business”
Where does suspect come from?
From Old French suspect, from Latin suspectus, perfect passive participle of suspiciō (“mistrust, suspect”), from sub (“under”), + speciō (“watch, look at”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with suspect
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of suspect.
Questions about saying suspect
How do you pronounce suspect?
Say suh-SPEKT. The American pronunciation is /səˈspɛkt/. In British English it is /səˈspɛkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suspect?
Suspect has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SPEKT). Broken into parts: suh · SPEKT.
Do Americans and Brits say suspect the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈspɛkt/ and the British form is /səˈspɛkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.