What does suspense mean?

Definitions for suspense
səˈspɛnssus·pense

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word suspense.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. suspensenoun

    apprehension about what is going to happen

  2. suspensenoun

    an uncertain cognitive state

    "the matter remained in suspense for several years"

  3. suspensenoun

    excited anticipation of an approaching climax

    "the play kept the audience in suspense"

Wiktionary

  1. suspensenoun

    the condition of being suspended

  2. suspensenoun

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

  3. suspensenoun

    the unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation

  4. Etymology: From suspens as in en suspens, from suspens.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Suspenseadjective

    Etymology: suspensus, Latin.

    The self-same orders allowed, but yet established in more wary and suspense manner, as being to stand in force till God should give the opportunity of some general conference what might be best for every of them afterwards to do; had both prevented all occasion of just dislike which others might take, and reserved a greater liberty unto the authors themselves, of entring unto further consultation afterwards. Richard Hooker.

    The great light of day yet wants to run
    Much of his race, though steep, suspense in heav’n
    Held by thy voice. John Milton, Paradise Lost.

    This said, he sat; and expectation held
    His looks suspense, awaiting who appear’d
    To second or oppose. John Milton.

  2. Suspensenoun

    Etymology: suspens, French; suspensus, Latin.

    Till this be done, their good affection towards the safety of the church is acceptable; but the way they prescribe us to preserve it by, must rest in suspense. Richard Hooker.

    Such true joy’s suspense
    What dream can I present to recompense? Edmund Waller.

    Ten days the prophet in suspense remain’d,
    Would no man’s fate pronounce; at last constrain’d
    By Ithacus, he solemnly design’d
    Me for the sacrifice. John Denham.

    In propositions, where though the proofs in view are of most moment, yet there are sufficient grounds to suspect that there is fallacy, or proofs as considerable to be produced on the contrary side, there suspense or dissent are often voluntary. John Locke.

    Whatever necessity determines to the pursuit of real bliss, the same necessity establishes suspense, deliberation and scrutiny, whether its satisfaction misleads from our true happiness. John Locke.

    For thee the fates, severely kind, ordain
    A cool suspense from pleasure or from pain. Alexander Pope.

Wikipedia

  1. Suspense

    Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, being undecided, or being doubtful. In a dramatic work, suspense is the anticipation of the outcome of a plot or of the solution to an uncertainty, puzzle, or mystery, particularly as it affects a character for whom one has sympathy. However, suspense is not exclusive to fiction.

ChatGPT

  1. suspense

    Suspense is a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen, often experienced by an audience regarding the outcome or climax in a movie, book, play, or other literary or dramatic work. It is a literary device used by authors or storytellers to keep their readers or viewers interested, engaged, and on edge about the unfolding plot.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Suspenseadjective

    held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding

  2. Suspenseadjective

    expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt

  3. Suspenseadjective

    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

  4. Suspenseadjective

    cessation for a time; stop; pause

  5. Suspenseadjective

    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

  6. Etymology: [From F. suspens, a. See Suspense, a.]

Wikidata

  1. Suspense

    Suspense is a feeling of pleasurable fascination and excitement mixed with apprehension, tension, and anxiety developed from an unpredictable, mysterious, and rousing source of entertainment. The term most often refers to an audience's perceptions in a dramatic work. Suspense is not exclusive to fiction. It may operate whenever there is a perceived suspended drama or a chain of cause is left in doubt, with tension being a primary emotion felt as part of the situation. In the kind of suspense described by film director Alfred Hitchcock, an audience experiences suspense when they expect something bad to happen and have a superior perspective on events in the drama's hierarchy of knowledge, yet they are powerless to intervene to prevent it from happening. Films having a lot of suspense belong in the thriller genre. In broader definitions of suspense, this emotion arises when someone is aware of his lack of knowledge about the development of a meaningful event; thus, suspense is a combination of anticipation and uncertainty dealing with the obscurity of the future. In terms of narrative expectations, it may be contrasted with mystery or curiosity and surprise. Suspense could however be some small event in a person's life, such as a child anticipating an answer to a request they've made, e.g., "May I get the kitty?". Therefore, suspense may be experienced to different degrees.

How to pronounce suspense?

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of suspense in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of suspense in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of suspense in a Sentence

  1. Seneca, Letters to Lucilius V:

    Fear keeps pace with hope. Nor does their so moving together surprise me; both belong to a mind in suspense, to a mind in a state of anxiety through looking into the future. Both are mainly due to projecting our thoughts far ahead of us instead of adapting ourselves to the present. Thus it is that foresight, the greatest blessing humanity has been given, is transformed into a curse.

  2. Marvin King:

    There is really no suspense.

  3. Donald Trump on Wednesday:

    She's guilty of a very, very serious crime, she should not be allowed to run...What I'm saying now is I will tell you. I will keep you in suspense, okay?

  4. Victor Shum:

    The market is going to be held in suspense for a few weeks, there is going to be pressure on the participants in the meeting to ensure they achieve something. Otherwise they risk the support-market sentiment that we are seeing now dissipate rapidly.

  5. Maneka Gandhi:

    We still have problems because our cut has still not been restored. Literally, it's a month-to-month suspense on whether we can meet wages.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for suspense

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"suspense." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/suspense>.

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