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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 Their lives and relationships are more than political statements — these are humans with bodies just as susceptible to illness and depression. Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 The frogs are particularly susceptible to drying out, known as desiccation, because of their incredibly small size. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 Those with chronic health conditions—such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or heart disease—are more susceptible. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 But a very small study from 2019 found that people with diets rich in zinc and nicotinic acid may be less susceptible to their symptoms. Jamie Ducharme, Health, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for susceptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible
Adjective
  • Last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for COVID-19 vaccine doses for people over age 65, who are most vulnerable to severe infections.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Recent studies have shown entry-level positions especially vulnerable to automation are being scaled back thanks to AI.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This burden of additional responsibilities and emotional labor with less resources lead many women to feel helpless, leaving divorce as the only escape.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The sunbathers of sleepy Amity Bay are helpless against the unexpected great white shark that hunts their coasts; Spielberg’s talent for suspense, effective horror shocks, and ingenious reinvention of the classic animal-attack movie remain as impressive as ever.
    Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The bipartisan vote signals that the final passage will likely be easy to gain as the upper chamber looks to pass the defense bill this month.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Perhaps the easiest was an airplane flying overhead.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bella, now three and a half years old, was described by Overbye as calm, sensitive, quiet, smart, and playful.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Prevent this by grounding AI in your documents and adding human review for sensitive content.
    Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • No little boy or girl should feel unsafe or unprotected while changing in school.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Equally worrying are the implications for working people across the UK, who may now be left unprotected from up front charges by similar platforms elsewhere in the growing gig economy.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This could soon begin to attract the criminal organizations looking for exploitable areas of science.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The downside to that wildness is exploitable attack loops that lead to infinities.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And in the height of summer, with an extra air conditioner pumping in the corner, the heat from the semi-exposed kitchen can make the dining room feel slightly steamy.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • There’s a good amount of pedaling and a few exposed, high-stakes areas.
    Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Their attempts at political discourse often veered toward the group speaking in vague, naïve universalisms.
    Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Sep. 2025
  • At times on Saturday, Bremen were terribly naive, exhibiting all the fragility expected of a team built from inexperienced players.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on susceptible

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