First Known Use: 1605
Dictionary
susceptible
adjective sus·cep·ti·ble \sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl\
: easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something
: capable of being affected by a specified action or process
Full Definition of SUSCEPTIBLE
1
: capable of submitting to an action, process, or operation <a theory susceptible to proof>
3
: impressionable, responsive <a susceptible mind>
— sus·cep·ti·ble·ness noun
— sus·cep·ti·bly \-blē\ adverb
See susceptible defined for English-language learners
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Examples of SUSCEPTIBLE
- Researchers at the University of South Carolina say that a chemical found abundantly in red wine, apples and onions helps protect against influenza, especially after a rigorous respiratory workout, when the body is more susceptible to infection. —Kim Marcus et al., Wine Spectator, 31 May 2009
- Women were especially susceptible to his … charm, and he maintained dozens of relationships simultaneously. When he was finally being tried for his crimes, 20 women sat together in the courthouse's public galleries, weeping: mistresses, lovers and admirers, all convinced of Unterweger's innocence. —Robert MacFarlane, New York Times Book Review, 13 Jan. 2008
- He grew up during the heyday of the Hegelian philosophy, which sought to explain all things in terms of historical development, but conceived this process as being ultimately not susceptible to the methods of empirical investigation. —Isaiah Berlin, The Hedgehog and the Fox, (1953) 1978
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Origin of SUSCEPTIBLE
Related to SUSCEPTIBLE
- Synonyms
- endangered, exposed, open, sensitive, subject (to), liable, vulnerable
- Antonyms
- insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible
Synonym Discussion of SUSCEPTIBLE
liable, open, exposed, subject, prone, susceptible, sensitive mean being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse. liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation <liable to get lost>. open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence <a claim open to question>. exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening <exposed to infection>. subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone <all reports are subject to review>. prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something <prone to delay>. susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable <very susceptible to flattery>. sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli <unduly sensitive to criticism>.
Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.
Both liable and apt when followed by an infinitive are used nearly interchangeably with likely. Although conflicting advice has been given over the years, most current commentators accept apt when so used. They generally recommend limiting liable to situations having an undesirable outcome, and our evidence shows that in edited writing it is more often so used than not.
Rhymes with SUSCEPTIBLE
SUSCEPTIBLE Defined for Kids
susceptible
adjective sus·cep·ti·ble \sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl\
Definition of SUSCEPTIBLE for Kids
1
: of such a nature as to permit <The words are susceptible of being misunderstood.>
2
: having little resistance (as to infection or damage) <I am susceptible to colds.>
3
: easily affected or impressed by <You're so susceptible to flattery.>
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