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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 Infants too young to be vaccinated are susceptible to the bacteria, which is why officials recommend that pregnant women get the vaccine in their third trimester, so the antibodies will be passed to the newborn. Neha Mukherjee, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025 But the grain is susceptible to infectious diseases, just like humans and animals. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025 The idea that single, teenage mothers should have these weapons in the home only makes their children more susceptible to gun accidents. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2025 The monounsaturated fat makes canola less susceptible to oxidation, Kane adds. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for susceptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible
Adjective
  • For the lead plaintiffs in the investors' suit, the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, the scheme allegedly robbed retirees of gains used to sustain their quality of life at a particularly vulnerable time.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Malnutrition leaves children vulnerable to pneumonia, diarrhea and other diseases.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Many parents are left feeling helpless—a common experience among pop-parenting adherents.
    Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider was helpless to stop his former teammate, falling to the ice as Perron beat Detroit goalie Alex Lyon gloveside.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But where this Star truly shined (that was too easy) was in giving a despondent Cedrek a pep talk after his disastrous challenge performance.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • His first outing of 2025 wasn’t necessarily easy for him either, with the Marlins taking four runs (two earned) off of him in a 4-2 loss Tuesday night at LoanDepot Park.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The rise in interest rates and inflation could dampen the growth prospects of shale oil producers, particularly smaller companies that are highly sensitive to borrowing costs.
    Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The business is also highly sensitive to energy prices and bitcoin price, two areas the president is able to influence through policy.
    Pete Gannon, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Nets still got plenty in return for Durant: Cam Johnson, nine unprotected first-round picks, one protected first round pick, two first-round swaps and three second-round picks.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • If that happens and the Heat land in the lottery and keep their pick, Oklahoma City then gets the rights to Miami’s unprotected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And, while the ball was mid-air, Zwolle’s attackers were to sprint to the penalty area to meet it on the way down and, ideally, stick it past an exposed goalkeeper.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The ceiling appears damaged, with exposed beams, and the windows are now boarded up with plywood.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The credulous faith that these superpowers will voluntarily settle for some form of peaceful coexistence, if only they are sufficiently propitiated with concessions, is naive and dangerous.
    Michael Miklaucic, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Similarly naive are Trump’s and Biden’s attempts to regulate access to AI information — such as China’s AI restrictions.
    Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Are people who are prone to ideology taking in less information?
    Matt Richtel, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Werewolf cats are also prone to some health conditions, including lymphocytic mural folliculitis.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Susceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/susceptible. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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