soupçonner

Word: soupçonner

Meaning:
The French verb soupçonner means to suspect, to have a suspicion about, or to suspect someone of something. It involves the act of having a feeling or an idea that someone may be guilty of something or that something is true, usually without full proof.

Explanation and Usage:

• Soupçonner comes from the noun soupçon which means a "suspicion" or "doubt."
• It is a regular -er verb.
• Used in expressing doubt or mistrust that is not yet confirmed.

Example sentences:

• Je soupçonne qu'il a dit la vérité.
  (I suspect that he told the truth.)
• La police soupçonne cet homme d'avoir commis le crime.
  (The police suspect this man of having committed the crime.)

Synonyms:

• suspecter (to suspect)
• douter (to doubt, though this is more general doubt rather than suspicion)
• imaginer (to imagine, in the sense of believing something might be true)

Antonyms:

• croire (to believe, the opposite of doubting or suspecting badly)
• avoir confiance en (to trust)

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Summary:
soupçonner means to suspect or to have a doubt about something or someone. It conveys uncertainty or mistrust pending proof.