Suspended
/səˈspɛndɪd/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo temporarily stop something from being active, operative, or in force.
/səˈspɛnd/
To temporarily prevent something from continuing or being in force or effect.
The game was suspended due to rain.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite TV show gets a break between seasons. They've *suspended* it for a while, but it will come back!
👶 For kids: To stop something for a little while.
More Examples
The company suspended trading of its stock.
The teacher suspended the student for bad behavior.
How It's Used
"The judge suspended the driver's license after a DUI conviction."
"The student was suspended from school for a week."
To deprive someone of a right, privilege, or position for a time.
/səˈspɛnd/
To officially remove someone from a position, duty, or privilege for a period of time.
The athlete was suspended from the competition for using performance-enhancing drugs.
💡 Simply: If you misbehave at work, you might get *suspended* – you can't come to work for a few days, like a time-out for grownups.
👶 For kids: To stop someone from doing something they usually do, like going to school.
More Examples
The government suspended all flights due to the storm.
He was suspended from his job for misconduct.
How It's Used
"The employee was suspended pending an investigation."
"The player was suspended for the next three games after committing a foul."
Temporarily inactive or postponed.
/səˈspɛndɪd/
Temporarily prevented from continuing or being in force.
The company's license was suspended.
💡 Simply: If your punishment is *suspended*, it's like a time-out that might not happen if you're good.
👶 For kids: Stopped for a while.
More Examples
His driver's license was suspended for a DUI.
The suspended sentence was carried out after he committed another crime.
How It's Used
"The suspended sentence meant the prison time was delayed if the person followed the rules."
"The suspended trading period for the stock was lifted after the investigation."
Supported from below.
/səˈspɛndɪd/
Supported or kept from sinking or falling.
The fine dust particles were suspended in the air.
💡 Simply: Imagine something floating in water, not sunk to the bottom, like a toy *suspended* on a string.
👶 For kids: Held up in the air.
More Examples
The bridge had a suspended platform.
Tiny organisms were found suspended in the lake.
How It's Used
"Suspended particles in the air cause pollution."
"The bridge had a suspended deck."
Synonyms
Defer
Delay
Halt
Interrupt
Postpone
Bar
Debar
Exclude
Remove
Delayed
Halted
Interrupted
Postponed
Floating
Hanging
Supported
Antonyms
Activate
Continue
Restart
Resume
Reinstate
Restore
Active
Current
Ongoing
Grounded
Settled
Sinking
Idioms & expressions
suspended animation
A state of temporary cessation of vital functions, resembling death; often used in science fiction.
"The scientists hope to use suspended animation to travel to distant stars."
suspended sentence
A sentence of imprisonment that a judge gives a convicted person but which the person does not have to serve if they stay out of trouble for a specific period
"He received a suspended sentence for the offense."
From Latin *suspendere* meaning 'to hang up, to delay', from *sub-* (under) + *pendere* (to hang).
Used since the 14th century, originally relating to physical hanging, then extended to figurative meanings of delay and temporary cessation.
Memory tip
Think of a swinging pendulum (suspend) that is stopped from swinging for a time.