Mere suspicion is often described as what?

Mere suspicion is often described as a hunch or gut feeling because it captures the subjective nature of that initial instinct or impression one might have about a situation or person without any solid evidence or concrete reasons to justify further action. This type of feeling does not meet the legal standards required for interventions such as stops or arrests, as mere suspicion lacks the necessary factual foundation or articulable reasoning that justifies law enforcement's engagement. This understanding is critical in distinguishing between mere intuition and more substantial levels of suspicion, which would require a more definitive basis for any legal action to be taken.