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 Fertilizing late in the season can make citrus trees more susceptible to diseases, pests, and frost damage. —

Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 Additionally, people who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026 Elderly people are the most susceptible to heat exhaustion, along with people on blood pressure medications and outdoor workers. —

Renee Anderson, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Beefsteak tomatoes, for example, are less likely to be susceptible. —

The Spruce, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for susceptible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible

Adjective

Key industries like agriculture, outdoor recreation, and the power grid are structurally vulnerable to water scarcity and extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change.

— Kelly Fleming, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
The gang members and associates allegedly focused on recruiting vulnerable minor girls and young women, many of whom came from broken homes or had fallen through the foster care system, Essayli said Wednesday.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

The leading interpretation is that Smilodon delivered a single precise bite to the throat or belly, severing something vital in a target that was already helpless.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Rescuers then wait intently for any indication of life, using sensitive microphones or telescopic cameras or simply pressing an ear against the rubble, hoping to detect a voice, a knock or the faintest movement.

— Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
So far, the administration has sued multiple states unsuccessfully in attempts to obtain sensitive voter-roll data to run through a federal database known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program.

— Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 1 July 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

If your cat or dog is outdoors and unprotected, fleas hitch a ride and come indoors with them.

— Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
The Celtics’ final offer to the Bucks included 29-year-old five-time NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown and two unprotected first-round picks, according to Charania.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

The interior also comes with a cotton liner, which will be much easier to spot-clean should your cosmetics or snacks leave a stain.

— Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Keep in mind that Santorini’s wine story is also an agricultural story, and Gaia makes that easier to feel.

— Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of easy

Adjective

Some lenders are more exposed than others.

— Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
The outer layers of the star will eventually cool and disperse, leaving a nebula of ex-stellar material surrounding the sun's core, which will then become an exposed cooling stellar remnant called a white dwarf.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of exposed

Adjective

Identity and access management without identity governance becomes chaos, and identity management without visibility becomes an exploitable vulnerability.

— Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
For a Carolina team that’s hellbent on possession, that looks like an exploitable matchup if that pair can’t get their act together.

— Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 31 May 2026