susceptible

adjective

sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce susceptible (audio)
Definition of susceptiblenext
1
as in vulnerable
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm some people are more susceptible to depression during the winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpless
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack completely susceptible and totally defenseless against the imploring eyes of the puppy in the pet store

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in easy
readily taken advantage of having recently lost his job, he was more susceptible to the illusory promises of get-rich-quick schemes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective susceptible contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of susceptible are exposed, liable, open, prone, sensitive, and subject. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

When might exposed be a better fit than susceptible?

While in some cases nearly identical to susceptible, exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When can liable be used instead of susceptible?

Although the words liable and susceptible have much in common, liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When could open be used to replace susceptible?

In some situations, the words open and susceptible are roughly equivalent. However, open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When would prone be a good substitute for susceptible?

The words prone and susceptible are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

In what contexts can sensitive take the place of susceptible?

While the synonyms sensitive and susceptible are close in meaning, sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

Where would subject be a reasonable alternative to susceptible?

The meanings of subject and susceptible largely overlap; however, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of susceptible For example, by analyzing patterns over time with electronic health records (EHRs), claims data and regional health, professionals can discover why certain demographics are more susceptible to certain chronic conditions or, alternatively, lack access to preventative services. —Fnu Anupama, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 The weakened plants are more susceptible to insects and disease pests. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 June 2025 Additionally, watering demand tends to be more frequent with shallow root systems, as the first few inches of soil are more susceptible to drying out on sunny days. —Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 7 June 2025 According to research conducted by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids in 2008, children are three times more susceptible to tobacco advertisements than adults, and marketing influences them to smoke more than their peers do. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for susceptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible
  1. vulnerable
  2. helpless
  3. easy
  4. sensitive
  5. unprotected
  6. exposed
  7. naive
  8. prone
Adjective
  • China’s economy remains vulnerable, though: Prices fell again, cementing fears of deflation.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 June 2025
  • Healthcare providers and community leaders must also educate patients about vaccination benefits, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women and those with high exposure.
    — Dr. Jerome Adams, Time, 10 June 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Adjective
  • Her husband said the crash has left him feeling helpless.
    — Melissa Chan, NBC news, 8 June 2025
  • Even if a new microorganism adapted to space or some other environment were to cause disease, humans still wouldn’t necessarily be helpless, Adalja said.
    — Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of helpless
Adjective
  • Reach for hydrogen peroxide to make cleaning easier.
    — Lauren David, Southern Living, 13 June 2025
  • But school officials across the country worry that making lawsuits easier to win will create a more adversarial relationship between parents and schools in the difficult negotiations needed to balance a student’s needs with a school’s limited resources.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 13 June 2025
Definition of easy
Adjective
  • Amino acids are more easily absorbed than proteins and do not damage the intestinal environment, which means even those with sensitive digestions can take them.
    — MISAKI KAWATSU, Vogue, 10 June 2025
  • This principle, applied across all workloads, is instrumental for reducing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.
    — Ben Blanquera, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Until recently, most insurance companies followed the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s definition for fertility, which defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldn’t conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse.
    — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 4 June 2025
  • Thick smoke can block out the sun and wreak havoc on anyone outdoors with unprotected eyes, noses and throats.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 3 June 2025
Definition of unprotected
Adjective
  • The president’s embrace of Moscow and corresponding pivot away from Europe is pushing the continent to become more independent and leaving its people far more exposed.
    — DMYTRO KULEBA, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2025
  • The ensemble featured a strapless, sculpted black corset top with an exposed zipper.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 21 May 2025
Definition of exposed
Adjective
  • Even a naive analysis, one that buys into some very obvious Republican budget tricks, finds that this bill cuts taxes and raises spending by $4 trillion over 10 years — but only pays for about $1.7 trillion of that.
    — Ezra Klein, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
  • In the film's early scenes, Cruise displays a naive, unwavering patriotism that seamlessly meshed with the actor's military heroics in Top Gun three years earlier — which makes Kovic's stark transition to impassioned anti-war advocacy all the more surprising in the runtime's second half.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of naive
Adjective
  • Each had played an iconic housewife, although Molly stood in fascinating contrast with Lucy Ricardo: the former was a fixer, the latter a firecracker, prone to fits of mischievous rage, then spanked into submission by her bandleader husband.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • And someone who leaves a job after only a year or two might be especially prone to overlook a modest balance − which, thanks to the magic of tax-free investment growth, eventually turns into a big balance.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Definition of prone

Browse Nearby Words

susceptibility
susceptible
susceptibleness
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Cite this Entry

“Susceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/susceptible. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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