Suspend — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /sə-ˈspend/ sus·pend

Meaning & Definition of Suspend

Suspend (verb)

  1. to debar temporarily especially from a privilege, office, or function
  2. to cause to stop temporarily
  3. to set aside or make temporarily inoperative

Suspend (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring to a formal close for a period of time

    "the judge suspended the hearing to give the district attorney more time to process evidence"

    similar: adjourn, prorogate, prorogue, recess
    related: break off, disband, discontinue, disperse, intermit, interrupt, defer, hold off, postpone, put off, reserve, shelve, table, dissolve, end, halt, stop, terminate, break up, close, conclude, wind up, wrap up, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke, abrogate, annul, invalidate, negate, nullify, quash, void
    near: inaugurate, launch, open, carry on, continue, draw out, extend, proceed, prolong, renew, reopen, resume, assemble, call, convene, convoke, muster, rally, summon

  2. to place on an elevated point without support from below

    "suspended a banner proclaiming the town's Heritage Days from the archway"

    similar: dangle, hang, sling, swing
    related: hook, mount, pin, tack, drape, festoon, garland, string, extend (out), jut, project, stick out, overhang, protrude, cascade, depend, fall, balance, poise

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Suspend

The most common words with a similar meaning to Suspend:

adjourn, prorogate, prorogue, recess, dangle, hang, sling, swing

Related Words for Suspend

break off, disband, discontinue, disperse, intermit, interrupt, defer, hold off, postpone, put off, reserve, shelve, table, dissolve, end, halt, stop, terminate, break up, close, conclude, wind up, wrap up, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind

Near Antonyms of Suspend

inaugurate, launch, open, carry on, continue, draw out, extend, proceed, prolong, renew, reopen, resume, assemble, call, convene, convoke, muster, rally, summon

Word Forms of Suspend

Inflections: suspended, suspending, suspends

Origin & Etymology of Suspend

Middle English suspenden "to hang up, place under suspension, debar, defer," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French suspendre, borrowed from Latin suspendere "to hang from a single point of support, make contingent (on), kill by hanging, maintain in raised position, keep in uncertainty, break off temporarily," from sus-, assimilated form of subs-, variant of sub- "up from below" + pendere "to weigh, have a weight, pay out" (presumably originally "to hang") up:1, pendent

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Suspend

Words & Phrases Containing Suspend

suspend between, suspend (one's) disbelief

Frequently Asked Questions about Suspend

What does "Suspend" mean?

"Suspend" means to debar temporarily especially from a privilege, office, or function. As a verb, it is defined as: to debar temporarily especially from a privilege, office, or function. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Suspend"?

Other words for "Suspend" include adjourn, prorogate, prorogue, recess, dangle, hang, sling and swing. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Suspend" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Suspend"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Suspend". Common alternatives include adjourn, prorogate, prorogue, recess, dangle, hang, sling and swing.

How do you use "Suspend" in a sentence?

Examples of "Suspend" in a sentence: "the judge suspended the hearing to give the district attorney more time to process evidence"; "suspended a banner proclaiming the town's Heritage Days from the archway".

Is "Suspend" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Suspend" is a verb.

Is "Suspend" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Suspend" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Suspend"?

"Suspend" is pronounced /sə-ˈspend/ and divided into syllables as sus·pend.

What is the origin of the word "Suspend"?

"Suspend" comes from Middle English suspenden "to hang up, place under suspension, debar, defer," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French suspendre, borrowed from Latin suspendere "to hang from a single point of support, make contingent (on), kill by hanging, maintain in raised position, keep in uncertainty, break off temporarily," from sus-, assimilated form of subs-, variant of sub- "up from below" + pendere "to weigh, have a weight, pay out" (presumably originally "to hang") up:1, pendent. First known use: 14th centuryt.