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Suspense vs Soliloquy - What's the difference?

suspense | soliloquy |

As nouns the difference between suspense and soliloquy

is that suspense is the condition of being suspended; cessation for a time while soliloquy is (drama) the act of a character speaking to themselves so as to reveal their thoughts to the audience.

As an adjective suspense

is (obsolete) held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.

As a verb soliloquy is

(very|rare) to issue a soliloquy.

suspense

English

(wikipedia suspense)

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete)

Noun

(-)
  • The condition of being suspended; cessation for a time.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • a cool suspense from pleasure and from pain
  • the pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc.
  • The unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation.
  • * Denham
    • Ten days the prophet in suspense remained.
  • (legal) A temporary cessation of one's right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.

    • Derived terms

    * suspenseful

    Related terms

    * cliffhanger * tenterhook

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Held or lifted up; held or prevented from proceeding.
  • * Milton
    • [The great light of day] suspense in heaven.
  • (obsolete) Expressing, or proceeding from, suspense or doubt.
  • * Milton
    • Expectation held his look suspense .
    ----

    soliloquy

    English

    (wikipedia soliloquy)

    Noun

    (soliloquies)
  • (drama) The act of a character speaking to themselves so as to reveal their thoughts to the audience.
    • At the end of the second act the main villain gave a soliloquy detailing his plans to attack the protagonist.
  • A speech or written discourse in this form.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    Primarily used of theater, particularly the works of (William Shakespeare), as a term of art, particularly for finely-crafted speeches. An archetype is the “(To be or not to be)” soliloquy in (Hamlet). In informal speech or discussions of popular culture, the term monologue is used instead, generally in a pejorative sense, suggesting that the speaker is a self-centered boor who won’t shut up.

    Synonyms

    * (speech or written discourse) monologue

    Antonyms

    * (discourse of a single person) colloquy, dialogue, dialog

    Hypernyms

    * locution * oration

    Derived terms

    * soliloquist * soliloquize

    Related terms

    * solo, solitude * locution – see other terms on same loquor root

    See also

    * apostrophe * stage whisper

    Verb

  • (very, rare) To issue a soliloquy.

    • Synonyms

    * soliloquize (much more common)