Suspense vs. Suspence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 17, 2023
"Suspense" is the correct spelling, referring to a state of anxious uncertainty or expectation. "Suspence" is an incorrect variant.
Difference Between Suspense and Suspence
Table of Contents
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Which is correct: Suspense or Suspence
How to spell Suspense?
Suspense
Correct Spelling
Suspence
Incorrect Spelling
Key Differences
Recall the related word "suspension," which also uses "se."
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Oct 17, 2023
Think of "sense" - a word ending with "se" that is used to perceive tension or excitement.
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Remember the phrase: "In suspense, use the sense of 'se'."
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Associate "suspense" with a tense movie scene.
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Note that "spence" is unrelated to the meaning of anxious expectation.
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Compare with Definitions
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.
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Suspence
Obsolete spelling of suspense
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Suspense
Suspense is a feeling of anxious uncertainty about what will happen next.
The movie's suspense kept me on the edge of my seat.
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Suspence
Suspence is an incorrect spelling of Suspense.
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Suspense
The condition of being suspended; cessation for a time.
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Suspense
Apprehension about what is going to happen
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Suspense
Anxiety or apprehension resulting from an uncertain, undecided, or mysterious situation
The suspense as they were announcing the winners was unbearable.
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Suspense
The quality in a work of narrative art, such as a novel or film, that causes the audience to experience pleasurable excitement and anticipation regarding an outcome.
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Suspense
(Archaic) The state or quality of being undecided, uncertain, or indecisive
The suspense of judgment.
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Suspense
The pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc.
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Suspense
The unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation.
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Suspense
(obsolete) Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.
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Suspense
(obsolete) Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.
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Suspense
Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.
[The great light of day] suspense in heaven.
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Suspense
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.
Ten days the prophet in suspense remained.
Upon the ticklish balance of suspense.
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Suspense
An uncertain cognitive state;
The matter remained in suspense for several years
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Suspense
Excited anticipation of an approaching climax;
The play kept the audience in suspense
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Suspense
Suspense refers to a quality in literature or film that evokes excitement or tension.
The author builds suspense throughout the novel.
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Suspense
Suspense denotes a state of being undecided or undetermined.
The decision was in suspense until the final vote.
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Suspense
Suspense can describe a temporary delay or deferment.
The game was held in suspense due to rain.
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Suspense
Suspense means an apprehensive anticipation.
The suspense of waiting for test results was agonizing.
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Suspense
(legal) 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.
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Suspense
A deadline.
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Suspense
Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.
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Suspense
Cessation for a time; stop; pause.
A cool suspense from pleasure and from pain.
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Suspense
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.
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Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Suspense?
The verb form related to "suspense" is "suspend."
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What is the root word of Suspense?
The root word is the Latin "suspendere."
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Which vowel is used before Suspense?
Typically, "a" or "in" as in "a state of suspense" or "in suspense."
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What is the plural form of Suspense?
Suspense is typically uncountable, but if referring to various types or instances, it's "suspenses."
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What is the singular form of Suspense?
The singular form is "suspense."
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Which preposition is used with Suspense?
Commonly, "in" as in "in suspense."
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What is the pronunciation of Suspense?
The pronunciation is /səˈspens/.
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Is Suspense a noun or adjective?
"Suspense" is a noun.
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Is Suspense a negative or positive word?
Neutral, but often associated with tension or anxiety.
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Why is it called Suspense?
It's called "suspense" because it stems from the Latin "suspendere," meaning to suspend or hang, evoking a sense of uncertainty or expectation.
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Is Suspense an adverb?
No, it is not an adverb.
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Is Suspense an abstract noun?
Yes, it represents an intangible concept.
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Which conjunction is used with Suspense?
Any conjunction can be used depending on the sentence structure.
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Is the Suspense term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but can be used metaphorically in writing.
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Is the word Suspense a Gerund?
No, "suspending" would be the gerund form of the verb "suspend."
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What part of speech is Suspense?
It is a noun.
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What is the opposite of Suspense?
Certainty.
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Which article is used with Suspense?
Either "a" or "the," depending on context.
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How many syllables are in Suspense?
Two syllables.
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What is another term for Suspense?
Anticipation.
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Is Suspense a vowel or consonant?
"Suspense" is a word composed of both vowels and consonants.
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Is Suspense a countable noun?
Typically uncountable, but can be countable in some contexts.
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Is the word Suspense imperative?
No, it is not imperative.
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What is a stressed syllable in Suspense?
The second syllable, "pense."
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Is Suspense a collective noun?
No, it is not a collective noun.
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How do we divide Suspense into syllables?
Sus-pense.
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Which determiner is used with Suspense?
Determiners like "this," "that," "some," "any" can be used, depending on the context.
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How is Suspense used in a sentence?
The suspense of the thriller novel made it impossible to put down.
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Is the word “Suspense” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on the sentence structure.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
