susceptibility

noun

sus·​cep·​ti·​bil·​i·​ty sə-ˌsep-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

plural susceptibilities

1

: the quality or state of being susceptible

especially : lack of ability to resist some extraneous agent (such as a pathogen or drug) : sensitivity

2

a

: a susceptible temperament or constitution

b

susceptibilities plural : feelings, sensibilities

3

a

: the ratio of the magnetization in a substance to the corresponding magnetizing force

b

: the ratio of the electric polarization to the electric intensity in a polarized dielectric

Synonyms of susceptibility

• vulnerability
• sensitivity

Examples of susceptibility in a Sentence

A weak immune system causes increased susceptibility to disease.

his aunt's unfortunate susceptibility to viruses meant she was nearly always sick

Recent Examples on the Web

This method allowed the researchers to access transverse magnetic susceptibility in previously unreachable conditions. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026

Symptoms include scaly and itchy skin, difficulty sweating and increased susceptibility to skin infections. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026

On the other hand, planting the wrong neighbors next to garlic can lead to altered flavors, stunted growth, increased susceptibility to pests, and decreased production. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026

Investigators also found that the bridge's susceptibility to collapse if it was hit was well above federal thresholds. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for susceptibility

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability

Kids Definition

susceptibility

noun

sus·​cep·​ti·​bil·​i·​ty sə-ˌsep-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural susceptibilities

1

: the quality or state of being susceptible

especially : lack of ability to resist some outside agent (as a disease-causing germ or drug)

2

a

: a susceptible disposition or nature

b

plural : one's emotional state : feelings

Medical Definition

susceptibility

noun

sus·​cep·​ti·​bil·​i·​ty sə-ˌsep-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural susceptibilities

1

: the quality or state of being susceptible : the state of being predisposed to, sensitive to, or of lacking the ability to resist something (as a pathogen, familial disease, or a drug) : sensitivity

2

a

: the ratio of the magnetization in a substance to the corresponding magnetizing force see paramagnetic

b

: the ratio of the electric polarization to the electric intensity in a polarized dielectric