Synonyms of susceptible

susceptible

adjective

sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl 

1

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

• vulnerable
• sensitive
• exposed
• prone
• liable
• endangered
• subject (to)
• in jeopardy
• open
• likely
• at risk
• in deep water
• unprotected
• unsecured
• uncovered
• unguarded
• unscreened
• undefended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• invulnerable
• unexposed
• covered
• unsusceptible
• protected
• sheltered
• insusceptible
• secured
• shielded
• screened
• guarded
• safeguarded
• warded

2

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

• vulnerable
• helpless
• unprotected
• exposed
• defenseless
• undefended
• unguarded
• unresistant
• unsafe
• passive
• in the lurch
• unarmed
• overcome
• weak
• untenable
• feeble
• uncovered
• indefensible
• abandoned
• preyed (on or upon)
• high and dry
• disarmed
• resistless
• frail
• marooned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resistant
• protected
• covered
• safe
• secure
• invulnerable
• armed
• sheltered
• immune
• defensible
• fortified
• shielded
• guarded
• screened
• strong
• armored
• invincible
• impenetrable
• impregnable
• omnipotent
• unassailable
• unconquerable
• unbeatable
• almighty

3

as in easy

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

• easy
• exploitable
• naive
• trusting
• naïve
• gullible
• deceivable
• unwary
• obliging
• innocent
• genuine
• wide-eyed
• yielding
• gullable
• trustful
• unsophisticated
• credulous
• uncritical
• dewy-eyed
• unsuspecting
• guileless
• unsuspicious
• malleable
• pliable
• pliant
• artless
• overcredulous
• unworldly
• acquiescent
• simple
• amiable
• agreeable
• fictile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wary
• critical
• suspicious
• cynical
• skeptical
• mistrustful
• sophisticated
• hardheaded
• shrewd
• clear-eyed
• clear-sighted
• streetwise
• street-smart

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

Recent Examples of susceptible

For all the talk of stagflation in the U.S., Japan may be even more susceptible to this most dreaded of dilemmas. —William Pesek, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to the heat than others. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite and can succumb to hypothermia in a matter of minutes, states the weather service. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The area is susceptible to the extreme tides in the Bay of Fundy, pulling anything on the surface out to sea, possibly lost forever. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025