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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 Robinson said he's seen predators identify vulnerable children that are susceptible to exploitation due to difficult life circumstances, mental illness, addiction and other issues. Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2025 Pregnant people are also more susceptible to severe COVID outcomes because of a dampened immune response, designed to keep their bodies from attacking the fetus. Erica Sloan, SELF, 26 Sep. 2025 Older adults have long been susceptible to misinformation by bad actors preying on people who are isolated and may have less experience with new technologies than their younger family members. Suzi Morales, Parents, 25 Sep. 2025 South Park also delivers jokes suggesting the apps are susceptible to price manipulation and have insufficient know-your-customer protocols. Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for susceptible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible
Adjective
  • Patrick Mahomes and the reigning AFC champion Chiefs look more vulnerable than in years past and are just 2-2 entering Monday night’s game against the Jaguars.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The people who are most vulnerable to the hard-to-breathe air that comes with climate change may inadvertently be adding to the problem, new research finds.
    Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This is obvious enough in the contrast between the aggressive takedown in humor and the helpless surrender in tears.
    Big Think, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The series also starred Portia de Rossi as the family's layabout daughter, Lindsay; David Cross as her aspiring actor husband, Tobias; Alia Shawkat as their teen daughter, Maeby; Jessica Walter as the family's elitist matriarch, Lucille; and Tony Hale as the dynasty's helpless youngest son, Buster.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But finding a good financial advisor isn't easy.
    Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,Kelli Grant, CFP®, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The 44-year-old driver led the race for an impressive 159 laps, and a win seemed like an easy thing to achieve.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Windows 11 Pro gives you BitLocker encryption, Smart App Control, and biometric login support to help safeguard sensitive information.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Phishing scams often use convincing logos and language to trick you into revealing sensitive information.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • During his run as head coach at the University of Michigan, Edina native Mel Pearson noted that playing on the Gophers’ big ice caused many young defenders to stray farther and farther away from their own net, leaving the Wolverines’ goalie unprotected at times.
    Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Prolonged, unprotected exposure to the high noise levels of a leaf vacuum can cause lasting hearing loss.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet despite this unprecedented sophistication, exploitable patterns remain.
    Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This could soon begin to attract the criminal organizations looking for exploitable areas of science.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The eggs are the first fossils to be reliably dated from the Qinglongshan fossil reserve, which includes three sites containing more than 3,000 eggs, the majority of which are semi-exposed and preserved in 3D, with their original shapes largely intact.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Homes with high flood risk sold for lower prices while buyers paid more for those that were less exposed.
    Bloomberg, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jane’s voice shifts from that of a naïve girl to that of a capable young woman as Laser traces her path out of the wilderness.
    AudioFile Magazine September 30, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
  • His hesitation has been seen publicly as naïve and risky, eroding faith in the monarchy.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Susceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/susceptible. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on susceptible

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