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

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 Women who experience heavy periods are particularly susceptible. — Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 Tom describes himself as uniquely susceptible to this kind of stimulation, something that Kenny, the Mount Sinai neuroscientist, says may have some credence. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Risky infection Pregnant people who have not been vaccinated against measles nor previously had the infection are susceptible. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 Experts say electric vehicles are susceptible to starting a fire when their batteries are inundated with salt water. — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for susceptible

Recent Examples of Synonyms for susceptible

Adjective

The fact is, the bill helps to preserve Medicaid for those who need it most, including low-income families, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
But that leaves the intricate energy system vulnerable to shocks.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

In an America where people my age feel particularly subjugated and helpless, accusing someone else of political and moral impropriety and defending your case with your life can instill in you feelings of reified self-empowerment and control.

— Ivy Wolk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Soon Rakowski was firing the ball to a wide-open Flowers for a 43-yard touchdown as two helpless Mira Costa defenders gave pursuit.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of helpless

Adjective

Mischa Glooshkoff, aka Michael Graves, has light brown curls, a wicked grin, and a wiry frame—perfect casting for the grand boulevardier who would lead my naïve young father astray.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
And how naive of me to believe that language could transcend grief.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of naive

Adjective

Some highly sensitive issues include relations with the European Union and Russia, but the primary focus will be dealing with corruption.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
There may be time-sensitive observations or decisions that need to be made before any instruction could arrive.

— Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

This means that unprotected people need to stay home and away from others for 21 days after exposure.

— Katie Lockwood, STAT, 28 Oct. 2026
The students challenge that interpretation, contending that the university has not established that their individual statements constituted legally unprotected threats or caused the level of disruption required to justify punishment.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of unprotected

Adjective

The end result would be a gassy surface shining as brightly as a more exposed black hole but with the Balmer break and smooth red hump of a 5,000-kelvin star, de Graaff and Naidu theorized.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
Morgan Stanley said Equinix and Digital Realty are less exposed because their facilities average roughly 5 to 10 megawatts, far below the gigawatt-scale AI campuses planned by hyperscalers and neocloud operators.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

Adjective

Automated tools can now discover vulnerabilities in mature software, leaving developers searching for stronger ways to prevent exploitable flaws.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
However, these attacks depend on exploitable security weaknesses.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of exploitable

Cite this Entry

Style

“Susceptible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/susceptible. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of susceptible

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes