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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 Children are more susceptible to dehydration compared with adults, losing water more quickly through sweating. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 The hallmark of The True Beauty of Being Bitten by a Tick is the sense of dread that mounts while Yvonne grows more and more susceptible to a figment of utopia built on wellness pseudoscience. Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025 Changes at the cellular level Time in space can weaken a person’s immune system and make astronauts more susceptible to infections. Jen Christensen, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025 The prevailing belief that Iran is now more susceptible to U.S. coercion or Israeli attack, however, is not shared by Tehran. Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for susceptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible
Adjective
  • But changes wouldn't guarantee that the most vulnerable patients would be spared from future insurance denials or the complex appeals process set up by insurers.
    Lauren Sausser, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Bailey's predicament isn't the first time a dog has found itself in an amusingly helpless situation.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The Flames’ penalty kill was the NHL’s best in March before Monday (95.5 percent), but the Maple Leafs made the group look helpless with one goal from William Nylander and two by Matthews.
    Nick Ashbourne, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Laura Ashley Amberley Reversible Cotton Quilt Set One of the easiest ways to make over a bedroom is with a new comforter or blanket.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • And snood size is the quickest, easiest way for a hen to gauge whether the gobbler strutting his stuff in front of her is a good genetic candidate for her future poults.
    Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 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
  • Questioning Tulsi Gabbard about her appointment as the director of National Intelligence, Republican senators begged her to agree with them that Edward Snowden was a traitor for leaking sensitive documents and then fleeing to Moscow.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Roughly 280,000 school children were unvaccinated and unprotected against measles during the 2023-2024 school year alone, the CDC said.
    Annika Kim Constantino,Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The cuts risk losing the web of contacts built during years of working in those countries and leaving groups on the ground unprotected from government repression, Twining argued in the call.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Yes, but: There are ways to remain exposed, if somewhat more indirectly.
    Brady Dale, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
  • By placing the host in an exposed, elevated position, the fungus maximizes its chances of dispersing spores effectively.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • With Back on My Feet, people called me naive, and a pollyanna.
    Shimite Obialo, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • She's got a squeaky clean image and is a little bit naive.
    Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Central Myanmar, where large plates of the Earth’s crust are in motion, is prone to powerful earthquakes.
    Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • What started out as foam pads sewn into the shape of a mattress made sense 30 years ago, when even the largest yachts were much smaller and prone to the occasional wave over the side.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Susceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/susceptible. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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