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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

Examples 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 Justice Samuel Alito repeatedly pressed Strangio, the first openly transgender lawyer to argue at the nation's highest court, about whether transgender people should be legally designated as a group that's susceptible to discrimination. arkansasonline.com, 5 Dec. 2024 Beef cattle operations that depend on rainfall to produce feed for their herds are susceptible to drought. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 This means Putin is susceptible to pressure, but the West must increase its efforts to level the playing field between Kyiv and Moscow. Elie Tenenbaum, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024 Some years, of course, are more susceptible to genuine feelings of thanksgiving than others. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for susceptible 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible
Adjective
  • Additionally, many rare species are understudied, or not even discovered, and might be especially vulnerable in ways that don't show up in this analysis.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that's difficult to detect.
    HALELUYA HADERO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Elizabeth Taylor felt helpless learning a close friend's fate along with the world.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024
  • Zimbardo spent the rest of his career promoting his theory that humans are helpless against the evil that lies in wait within us to be triggered by circumstance.
    Judy Berman, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This ensures any updates are easy and consistent, which is essential for fast-moving companies or rapidly developing products.
    William Mullane, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
  • They’re made from a durable fabric and have thick straps that are easy to carry.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Amphibians, including frogs and salamanders, are more vulnerable, Urban found, perhaps because their habitats are more sensitive to environmental changes.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Hot sauce: This won't make the final dish hot, but if anyone is sensitive, it can be skipped.
    Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing, threatening vegetation, crops and unprotected outdoor property.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Most human infections with H5 virus have occurred after unprotected exposure to sick or dead infected animals or their environment, state officials said.
    Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • White rice is more effective because its starches are more exposed, maximizing absorption.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
  • This one has drop shoulders with exposed seams, a ribbed collar, and slouchy silhouette that looks perfect over everything from skinny jeans to wide-leg pants.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Mercifully, Newcastle came up against a Leicester side whose setup under Ruud van Nistelrooy was as naive as their defensive performance was pitiful.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Season 1 introduced Amina (Anjana Vasan), a naive but musically gifted nerd who joins the band Lady Parts to get closer to one member’s hunky brother.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • So the researchers look at this random, unrelated environmental factor to having ADHD — the fact the doctor is seeing these kids on Halloween — to get a sense of just how subjective and prone to error these decisions are.
    Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
  • If your hair is in recovery mode—brittle, dull, prone to split ends, and in general need of some TLC—the best products for hair breakage are here to deliver relief.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 17 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near susceptible

Cite this Entry

“Susceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/susceptible. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on susceptible

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