allay suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'allay suspicion' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean to reduce or dispel suspicion, doubt, or unease. For example, "The company CEO held a town hall meeting in order to allay suspicion about their upcoming changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Antonina's own looks helped allay suspicion.

The New York Times - Books

To allay suspicion, he bought a round-trip ticket.

The New Yorker

(To allay suspicion, producers offered to let an independent auditor keep an eye on the books).

The New York Times

To allay suspicion on their Highland trek the four disguise themselves in kilts as "whisky train-spotters".

The New York Times

Although the price should be low enough to allay suspicion, the object can still yield a fair return for the effort expended by the forger.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To allay suspicion, the formal treaty was concluded through the ordinary diplomatic channels on December 31 December 211, old style), omitting all mention of religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Those organising the survey subsequently arranged to be accompanied by a person of standing in the community to allay suspicions.

Independent

Community activist Reggie Betts said people want police to produce the gun and autopsy results to allay suspicions.

The Washington Post

But the denial has done little to allay suspicions that such tactics will be used.China has been more considerate, however, of the sensitivities of the visiting African leaders.

The Economist

The airline also offered to remove its chief executive, Fred Reid, whose American citizenship failed to allay suspicions about his close ties to those perfidious foreigners.

The Economist

But video recordings of the numbers entering polling booths should be comprehensive and freely available to help allay suspicions of ballot-stuffing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "allay suspicion" when you want to emphasize the action of actively reducing or calming existing doubts or mistrust. It's more impactful when there's a specific reason for the suspicion to exist.

Common error

Don't use "allay suspicion" when a situation simply requires providing information. This phrase implies there's already existing doubt that needs to be actively addressed, not just a lack of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allay suspicion" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "allay" (verb) acts upon "suspicion" (noun). This indicates an action performed on a state of doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "allay suspicion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that aims to reduce or eliminate doubts and mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans diverse contexts, most notably News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. While alternatives like "dispel doubts" or "mitigate skepticism" exist, "allay suspicion" specifically suggests taking action to calm existing doubts. When employing this phrase, ensure that there's a genuine element of mistrust present, making the action of allaying it both relevant and impactful. Its occurrence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mitigate skepticism

Deals with lessening doubt or disbelief regarding something.

dispel doubts

Emphasizes the removal of uncertainty or disbelief.

ease concerns

Focuses on reducing anxiety or worry, a broader concept than suspicion.

resolve doubts

Focuses on finding a solution to uncertainty, rather than just reducing it.

quell misgivings

Highlights the suppression of feelings of doubt or apprehension.

eliminate uncertainty

Concentrates on removing any lack of sureness or clarity.

alleviate fears

Addresses the reduction of fear, which might be a consequence of suspicion.

pacify concerns

Highlights efforts to bring peace or tranquility to worried parties.

reduce apprehension

Aims at decreasing anxiety or unease about a future event.

calm fears

Implies soothing or pacifying anxieties.

FAQs

How can I use "allay suspicion" in a sentence?

You can use "allay suspicion" to describe actions taken to reduce doubt or mistrust. For example: "The company CEO held a town hall meeting in order to "allay suspicion" about the upcoming changes."

What is a good alternative to "allay suspicion"?

Alternatives to "allay suspicion" include "ease concerns", "dispel doubts", or "mitigate skepticism", depending on the context.

Is it better to "allay suspicion" or "eliminate suspicion"?

"Allaying suspicion" implies reducing or calming existing doubts, while "eliminating suspicion" suggests completely removing all doubts. The best choice depends on the degree to which you can address the underlying causes of the mistrust.

What's the difference between "allay suspicion" and "ease concerns"?

"Allaying suspicion" specifically targets doubt or mistrust, whereas "ease concerns" is broader and can refer to reducing any anxiety or worry, not necessarily stemming from suspicion.