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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 The material also has a pH-balancing effect, and pressing the dome to the face can make the skin more alkaline and less susceptible to acne and inflammation. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2025 Measles can be serious and even deadly in all people, but some groups are more susceptible to its effects, according to the CDC. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 Infants and young children are also very susceptible; globally, pneumonia kills more children under the age of 5 than any other infectious disease. Katia Hetter, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025 Depending on the material, some cooling racks are susceptible to rust. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for susceptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible
Adjective
  • Gray is one of the most vulnerable Democrats in Congress.
    Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025
  • But the fun doesn’t detract from the character’s shallowness (even at her most vulnerable, as Trigorin acknowledges his feelings for Nina, her pleas to him seem scripted, something she’s acted before) or the terrible damage that her lack of care inflicts upon her son.
    Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In Texarkana, the year before, men and boys amused themselves by cutting off strips of flesh and thrusting knives into their helpless victim.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Amick stars alongside James Spader as a beguiling beauty whom Spader is helpless before.
    Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The net result of these subtle updates is a perpetual calendar display more intuitive, legible, and easy to use than ever before.
    Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Instead, the Framework 12 will have POGO pins that should be exponentially easier to connect, and produce far less anxiety.
    Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The exfiltrated data included the following browser files, which can store login cookies, passwords, browsing histories, and other sensitive data.
    Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025
  • To begin the transition to PQC, assess what of your critical infrastructure deals with high volumes of sensitive data.
    Anurag Lal, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Mars Hydro, a Chinese company that makes Internet of Things (IoT) devices like LED lights and hydroponics equipment, left a massive database unprotected online.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • If the Heat misses the playoffs this season, Charlotte would get Miami’s unprotected first-round pick in 2028 from the Terry Rozier trade and OKC would get Miami’s unprotected first-round pick in 2026 from the Butler trade with Philadelphia in 2019.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Our cities now sit exposed, taking direct hits from stronger hurricanes with increasing frequency.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Researchers believe the exposed bucket contained sensitive information about buyers, including their full names, home addresses, phone numbers and order details such as mailing dates and parcel information.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Neither was it based on wishful thinking or naive optimism.
    Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • This is, at best, naive, but probably very dangerous.
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • After all, if the onboarding process is too cumbersome, potential customers are prone to walk away, diminishing opportunities for everyone.
    James Bruni, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Hill pinned prone to the pavement and cuffed was shocking to see.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Susceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/susceptible. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on susceptible

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