increase suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or events that lead to a heightened sense of doubt or mistrust regarding a person or situation. Example: "The sudden changes in his behavior began to increase suspicion among his colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Critics of the law say it is designed to crack down on civil society and increase suspicion of foreigners.

The Guardian

It said his single-minded pursuit "will inevitably stoke anti-Muslim sentiment and increase suspicion and fear".

The New York Times

As the numbers increase, suspicion has mounted that a new factor has been helping to push food prices beyond the pockets of the poor – the vast amounts of money poured into the commodities market in recent years.

The Guardian

The fact that the friendly, polite Muslim guy who delivered pizza (as one of the Kouachi brothers did) turns out to be an Islamist assassin is bound to increase suspicion of Muslims among so-called ordinary people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The higher estimates will affect not only assessments of how much environmental damage the spill has done but also how much BP might eventually pay to clean up the mess — and they will most likely increase suspicion among skeptics about how honest and forthcoming the oil company has been throughout the catastrophe.

The New York Times

Ruling out other causes (chikungunya, dengue, WNV), taking appropriate history of tick bite rather than mosquito bite and skin rashes will increase suspicion for rickettsial retinitis.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"This will definitely increase suspicions on both sides," said Yan Xuetong, director of the Institute of International Relations at Qinghua University in Beijing.

The New York Times

UK military commanders are concerned that talk of a withdrawal will increase suspicions among Afghans that foreign troops will leave them at the mercy of the Taliban.

The Guardian

But Shkelzen Gashi, a political scientist who specialises in history, argued that Kosovo schoolbooks are full of "inaccuracies, lies and falsifications, which very much increase suspicions amongst schoolchildren regarding Serbia".

The Guardian

He accepted that voter apathy was not a new problem but his implied criticism of the government may increase suspicions that already exist among Conservative MPs that he is biased against them.

The Guardian

And once welcome, Chinese investment in Africa is viewed with increasing suspicion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increase suspicion", ensure the context clearly identifies the cause and the object of suspicion. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "increase suspicion" repeatedly in a way that sounds accusatory without providing sufficient evidence. Overuse can weaken your argument and alienate your audience. Balance the phrase with factual details and nuanced analysis.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "increase suspicion" is a verb phrase followed by a noun, acting as a predicate in a sentence. As supported by Ludwig AI, it describes the action of making doubt or mistrust more significant. This phrase often serves to highlight the consequences of certain behaviors or events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "increase suspicion" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear expression used to describe the rise of doubt or mistrust. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and applicable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When employing "increase suspicion", ensure clarity regarding the cause and object of doubt. Alternatives such as "raise doubts" or "heighten mistrust" can provide nuanced variations. Be mindful of overuse, especially in accusatory contexts, to maintain a balanced and credible tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heighten mistrust

This phrase uses stronger words to indicate a more intense increase in negative feelings.

fuel distrust

This alternative emphasizes the act of intensifying existing distrust.

amplify skepticism

This alternative focuses on making doubt more pronounced or widespread.

stoke misgivings

This alternative focuses on creating or amplifying feelings of doubt and uncertainty.

exacerbate wariness

This emphasizes the worsening of existing caution or carefulness.

generate mistrust

This focuses on the creation of mistrust where it might not have existed before.

foster incredulity

This alternative highlights the development of disbelief.

breed uncertainty

This highlights the creation and growth of a lack of sureness.

raise doubts

This phrase is more general and doesn't necessarily imply pre-existing suspicion.

encourage doubt

This alternative is less intense, suggesting a milder influence on suspicion.

FAQs

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

You can use "increase suspicion" to describe actions or events that cause people to become more doubtful or wary. For example: "The inconsistencies in his story began to "increase suspicion" among the investigators."

What are some alternatives to "increase suspicion"?

Some alternatives to "increase suspicion" include "raise doubts", "heighten mistrust", or "fuel distrust", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "increase suspicion" or "raise suspicion"?

"Increase suspicion" suggests a gradual build-up of doubt, while "raise suspicion" can imply a more immediate or abrupt onset. Choose the phrase that best reflects the situation you're describing.

What's the difference between "increase suspicion" and "heighten suspicion"?

"Heighten suspicion" implies a more intense or significant rise in doubt compared to "increase suspicion", suggesting that the level of doubt has become considerably more pronounced.