Suspense Definition

sə-spĕns

noun

Anxiety or apprehension resulting from an uncertain, undecided, or mysterious situation.

The suspense as they were announcing the winners was unbearable.

American Heritage

The state of being undecided or undetermined.

Webster's New World

A state of usually anxious uncertainty, as in awaiting a decision.

Webster's New World

The growing interest and excitement felt while awaiting a climax or resolution, as of a novel, play, series of events, etc.

Webster's New World

Suspension or interruption, as of a legal right.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

adjective

(obsolete) Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.

Wiktionary

(obsolete) Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.

Wiktionary

Origin of Suspense

Middle English suspense delay, uncertainty from Old French souspense from souspens suspended from Latin suspēnsus past participle of suspendere to suspend suspend

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Anglo-Norman suspens as in e suspens, from Old French suspens.

From Wiktionary