Suspect vs. Doubt: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 3, 2023
"Suspect" refers to having a belief without certainty, while "Doubt" means to lack confidence in the truth or reliability.
Key Differences
"Suspect" and "Doubt" are two verbs that express uncertainty, but they are utilized in different contexts. When you "suspect" something, you believe it to be probable or likely, but you lack concrete evidence to prove it. For example, one might suspect that it will rain due to dark clouds, even if it's not confirmed by a weather forecast.
On the other side, "Doubt" signifies skepticism or a lack of conviction about something. If someone doubts a statement or claim, they question its veracity or truth. Unlike "suspect," where there's a hint of belief, "doubt" tends to lean towards disbelief.
Using the words in a sentence can further clarify their differences. "I suspect he's behind this mischief," implies a particular direction of belief without solid evidence. In contrast, "I doubt he's telling the truth," indicates a leaning towards disbelief regarding the statement.
In conclusion, while "Suspect" and "Doubt" both express uncertainty, "Suspect" leans towards a probable belief, and "Doubt" leans towards skepticism or disbelief.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Believe without certainty
Lack confidence in truth/reliability
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Tendency
Leans towards belief
Leans towards disbelief
Evidence Requirement
Not always needed
Often asks for evidence
Example
"She suspects he's hiding something."
"She doubts his sincerity."
Nature
More of a hunch or intuition
Skepticism or uncertainty
Suspect and Doubt Definitions
Suspect
Regard as likely; suppose.
I suspect she'll come by evening.
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Doubt
Feel uncertain about.
I doubt his capabilities.
Suspect
Think that (someone) is guilty of a crime.
Police suspect him of robbery.
Doubt
Consider unlikely.
I doubt it'll rain today.
Suspect
Believe something to be true without evidence.
Many suspect him to be the thief.
Doubt
A feeling of uncertainty.
She's filled with doubt.
Suspect
To consider (something) to be true or probable on little or no evidence
I suspect they are very disappointed.
Doubt
To be undecided or skeptical about
Began to doubt some accepted doctrines.
Suspect
To have doubts about (something); distrust
I suspect his motives.
Doubt
To tend to disbelieve; distrust
Doubts politicians when they make sweeping statements.
Suspect
To consider (a person) guilty without proof
The police suspect her of murder.
Doubt
To regard as unlikely
I doubt that we'll arrive on time.
Suspect
To have suspicion.
Doubt
(Archaic) To suspect; fear.
Suspect
One who is suspected, especially of having committed a crime.
Doubt
To be undecided or skeptical.
Suspect
Open to or viewed with suspicion
A suspect policy.
Suspect motives.
Doubt
The state of being uncertain about the truth or reliability of something.
Suspect
(transitive) To imagine or suppose (something) to be true, or to exist, without proof.
To suspect the presence of disease
Doubt
Often doubts A feeling of uncertainty or distrust
Had doubts about his ability.
Suspect
(transitive) To distrust or have doubts about (something or someone).
To suspect the truth of a story
Doubt
A point about which one is uncertain or skeptical
Reassured me by answering my doubts.
Suspect
(transitive) To believe (someone) to be guilty.
I suspect him of being the thief.
Doubt
The condition of being unsettled or unresolved
An outcome still in doubt.
Suspect
(intransitive) To have suspicion.
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.
Suspect
To look up to; to respect.
Doubt
To harbour suspicion about; suspect.
Suspect
A person who is suspected of something, in particular of committing a crime.
Doubt
To anticipate with dread or fear; to apprehend.
Suspect
Viewed with suspicion; suspected.
Doubt
To fill with fear; to affright.
Suspect
(nonstandard) Viewing with suspicion; suspecting.
Doubt
To dread, to fear.
Suspect
Suspicious; inspiring distrust.
Suspect [was] his face, suspect his word also.
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.
Suspect
Suspected; distrusted.
What I can do or offer is suspect.
Doubt
A point of uncertainty; a query.
Suspect
Suspicion.
So with suspect, with fear and grief, dismayed.
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.
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.
Doubt
To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive.
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.
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.
Suspect
To imagine to be guilty, upon slight evidence, or without proof; as, to suspect one of equivocation.
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.
Suspect
To hold to be uncertain; to doubt; to mistrust; to distruct; as, to suspect the truth of a story.
Doubt
To fill with fear; to affright.
The virtues of the valiant CaratachMore doubt me than all Britain.
Suspect
To look up to; to respect.
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.
Suspect
To imagine guilt; to have a suspicion or suspicions; to be suspicious.
If I suspect without cause, why then make sport at me.
Doubt
Uncertainty of condition.
Thy life shall hang in doubt before thee.
Suspect
Someone who is under suspicion
Doubt
Suspicion; fear; apprehension; dread.
I stand in doubt of you.
Nor slack her threatful hand for danger's doubt.
Suspect
A person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
Doubt
Difficulty expressed or urged for solution; point unsettled; objection.
To every doubt your answer is the same.
Suspect
Imagine to be the case or true or probable;
I suspect he is a fugitive
I surmised that the butler did it
Doubt
The state of being unsure of something
Suspect
Regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
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
Suspect
Hold in suspicion; believe to be guilty;
The U.S. suspected Bin Laden as the mastermind behind the terrorist attacks
Doubt
Consider unlikely or have doubts about;
I doubt that she will accept his proposal of marriage
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
Doubt
Lack confidence in or have doubts about;
I doubt these reports
I suspect her true motives
She distrusts her stepmother
Suspect
Have an idea or impression of the existence.
She suspects foul play in this deal.
Doubt
Feel uncertain or lack confidence in.
He doubts himself too often.
Suspect
View with distrust.
He's always suspected strangers.
Doubt
Disbelieve or distrust.
He doubts any news without sources.
FAQs
Is "Suspect" always used in negative contexts?
No, it can be neutral, like suspecting good news.
Is "Suspect" also a noun?
Yes, referring to someone believed to have committed a crime.
Does "Doubt" always indicate disbelief?
No, sometimes it's just uncertainty.
Can "Doubt" be used as a noun?
Yes, e.g., "I have my doubts about this."
Can "Suspect" and "Doubt" be used interchangeably?
Not always, they have nuanced differences.
Is "Doubt" always used in questions?
No, it can be used in statements too.
Can "Suspect" refer to intuition?
Yes, it can refer to a gut feeling.
Does "Doubt" always indicate a lack of evidence?
Not always; one can doubt even with evidence.
Is it correct to say "I suspect so"?
Yes, it means "I believe it's likely."
How is "Suspect" different from "Assume"?
"Suspect" leans towards belief without evidence; "Assume" takes it as true without proof.
What's a synonym for "Doubt"?
Skepticism.
Is "Suspect" always about people?
No, it can be about situations, outcomes, etc.
Can "Doubt" express a strong disbelief?
Yes, e.g., "I highly doubt that."
Is "Doubt" the opposite of "Believe"?
Not directly, but they're on opposite ends of the certainty spectrum.
Is there a phrase using "Doubt" to indicate certainty?
Yes, "Without a doubt" means with complete certainty.
Can "Suspect" be used in a positive way?
Yes, e.g., "I suspect he's planning a surprise."
Is a "Suspect" always guilty?
No, a suspect is someone believed to be involved, not proven guilty.
Can you use "Doubt" in a question?
Yes, e.g., "Do you doubt me?"
Can "Suspect" indicate a slight belief?
Yes, it can indicate a hunch or leaning towards a belief.
Can "Suspect" indicate distrust?
Yes, e.g., "I suspect his motives."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
