/səˈspɪʃənz/
suspicions is pronounced /səˈspɪʃənz/. Suspicions: a noun referring to beliefs or doubts about the truth of something, typically without substantial proof. It denotes a state of mistrust or suspicion that something is wrong or not as it seems. In plural form, it often collocates with phrases like “builds suspicions,” “arouse suspicions,” or “fan the suspicions.”.
Say it backSuspicions: a noun referring to beliefs or doubts about the truth of something, typically without substantial proof. It denotes a state of mistrust or suspicion that something is wrong or not as it seems. In plural form, it often collocates with phrases like “builds suspicions,” “arouse suspicions,” or “fan the suspicions.”
"Her suspicions about the contract prompted a thorough review."
"There are several suspicions that the data has been manipulated."
"He kept his suspicions to himself until the audit was complete."
Pronounce as sə-SPISH-ənz in standard American/UK English. The primary stress falls on the second syllable: /səˈspɪʃ.ənz/. The first syllable is reduced to /sə/, and the /sp/ cluster is followed by /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable, then /ʃ/ and a light /ənz/ ending. Tip: keep the /sp/ cluster tight, avoid inserting extra vowels between /s/ and /p/, and finish with a clear /ənz/ rather than /nz/.”,
Common errors include misplacing stress (pronouncing sus-PIC-tions or sus-pi-CTIONS), dropping the /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable, or turning /ʃ/ into /tʃ/ (suspish-uhns). Another frequent mispronunciation is blending the ending to /-nz/ with a hard /z/ instead of /ənz/. Correct by practicing the stressed /ɪ/ in /ˈspɪʃ/, keeping /sp/ tightly together, and ending with /ənz/ rather than /nz/.
In US/UK, the stressed syllable is /ˈspɪʃ/ with a strong /ɪ/ and a clear /ʃ/ before /ənz/. Rhotic US accents may show a more pronounced /r/ only if followed by a vowel elsewhere; rhoticity does not affect this word much. Australian English typically keeps similar vowels but with a more centralized /ɪ/ and a slightly broader /ə/ in the first syllable. Overall, the main differences lie in vowel quality and the degree of vowel reduction in the first syllable, not in consonant segments.
The difficulty lies in linking an unstressed first syllable /sə/ with the stressed /ˈspɪʃ/ cluster and then seamlessly attaching /ənz/. The /ɪ/ in the stressed syllable is short and brisk, and many learners insert an extra vowel or break the /sp/ cluster. Also, the /ʃ/ sound before /ənz/ can blur into a /ʒ/ or /tʃ/ for some speakers. Practicing the sequence /səˈspɪʃ.ənz/ with controlled timing helps unify the word.
A unique feature is the /spɪʃ/ sequence inside a multi-syllabic word that’s easy to compress in fast speech. The stress pattern places emphasis on the second syllable while the ending /ənz/ remains light and quick. Keeping the /ɪ/ sound precise in the stressed syllable while maintaining the /ʃ/ before /ənz/ distinguishes it from similar forms like /ˈspʌʃ.ənz/ or /səˈsəp.ɪʃ.ənz/.
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Suspicions derives from the Latin word suspectio, with the verb suspicere meaning to look up, regard with suspicion, or mistrust. The root suspic- comes from sub- (under, up from beneath) and spec- (to look). The term entered English through Old French as suspection and later evolved into suspicion in the 15th century, with the plural suspicions forming naturally in English to indicate multiple grounds or instances of suspicion. The sense expanded from “a looking up with suspicion” to “the state of harbouring doubts” and then to “an idea or belief based on a feeling of mistrust.” First known use in a form close to the current meaning appears in early Modern English medical/legal contexts to describe grounds for doubt about someone’s honesty or veracity. Over time, suspicions accrued broader usage in everyday speech to denote not just a single doubt but a constellation of lingering doubts or concerns about truth, motives, or outcomes. The plural form emphasizes multiple potential grounds of doubt rather than a single suspicion.
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Words that rhyme with "suspicions"
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