suspense
UK: səˈspɛns | US: səˈspɛns
n. a state of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome
n. (literary) the quality of making the audience or reader uncertain or tense about future events
Derived from Latin suspensus (past participle of suspendere, "to hang up or under"), combining sub- (under) + pendere (to hang). The word evolved in Old French as suspens (delayed, doubtful), entering English in the 15th century with the sense of "mental uncertainty." The core idea of "hanging" metaphorically shifted to describe a state of unresolved tension, as if an outcome is "left hanging."
The movie masterfully builds suspense before the final reveal.
She couldn’t bear the suspense of waiting for her exam results.
The novel’s suspense kept me reading until dawn.
His voice trembled with suspense as he opened the letter.
The director used lighting and music to heighten the suspense.