SUSCEPTIBLE Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

susceptible

adjective

sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl

Definition of susceptible next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in naive

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 This feature of Bitcoin ownership makes people susceptible to physical attacks. —

Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026 Not all illnesses are equally dangerous and not all people are equally susceptible to those illnesses. —

Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026 Young children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems are most susceptible to illness. —

Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026 Dosunmu is a welcome addition in that area, but DiVincenzo, McDaniels, Reid and Randle have all proven to be susceptible to turnovers at different points, and Gobert has proven completely unreliable with the ball in his hands. —

Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for susceptible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible

Adjective

But if the jumpers go cold, the Tide will be vulnerable to a first-round upset.

— Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
On a typical day, a significant share of oil exports from the Arabian Peninsula depends on just a handful of critical routes and terminals -- making the system highly vulnerable to disruption, according to Matt Smith, the lead oil analyst at energy consultant group Kpler.

— Victor Ordonez, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026