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susceptible

adjective
sus·​cep·​ti·​ble | \ sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce susceptible (audio) \

Definition of susceptible

1 : capable of submitting to an action, process, or operation a theory susceptible to proof
2 : open, subject, or unresistant to some stimulus, influence, or agency susceptible to pneumonia
3 : impressionable, responsive a susceptible mind
Other Words from susceptible Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about susceptible

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Other Words from susceptible

susceptibleness noun
susceptibly \ sə-​ˈsep-​tə-​blē How to pronounce susceptibly (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of susceptible in a Sentence

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 The virus can infect susceptible individuals. some people are more susceptible to depression during the winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Keyserling acknowledged that the Perspective tool, like other machine-learning systems, is susceptible to bias. — Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, "Google’s Hate Speech Detection A.I. Has a Racial Bias Problem," 16 Aug. 2019 Water is dynamic, and objects are susceptible to its ebb and flow. — Erin Blakemore, National Geographic, "How underwater archaeology reveals hidden wonders," 2 Aug. 2019 Fervent religiosity in both its spiritual and secular forms is susceptible to moral panics. — Noah Rothman, National Review, "Kevin Williamson’s Revolt against the Hivemind," 25 July 2019 Weaknesses: The secondary was susceptible to the big play, allowing more than 24 passing plays of 30-or-more yards that included seven of those going for 50 yards or longer. — Matt Murschel, orlandosentinel.com, "2019 College Football Rankings: No. 55 Purdue works to build on recent success," 1 July 2019 But clients who don’t want to give in to extortion are susceptible to firms that claim to have their own methods of decrypting files. — Renee Dudley, ProPublica, "Sting Catches Another Ransomware Firm — Red Mosquito — Negotiating With “Hackers”," 24 June 2019 Both plants, however, are susceptible to breakage when the deer move through plantings. — Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, "The deer-proof plants you should plant this spring," 11 May 2018 About 15 percent of state’s urban trees are susceptible to the insect’s destructive ways, the release said. — Saja Hindi, The Denver Post, "The emerald ash borer, a tree-destroying beetle, confirmed in Broomfield County," 20 Aug. 2019 As Politico first reported, his deportation came on the back of a series of criminal convictions, which render noncitizens susceptible to removal from the country. — Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, "A death in Iraq belies Trump’s religious freedom agenda," 9 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'susceptible.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of susceptible

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for susceptible

Late Latin susceptibilis, from Latin susceptus, past participle of suscipere to take up, admit, from sub-, sus- up + capere to take — more at sub-, heave

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More Definitions for susceptible

susceptible

adjective
How to pronounce susceptible (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of susceptible

: easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something
formal : capable of being affected by a specified action or process

See the full definition for susceptible in the English Language Learners Dictionary

susceptible

adjective
sus·​cep·​ti·​ble | \ sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl How to pronounce susceptible (audio) \

Kids Definition of susceptible

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.

susceptible

adjective
sus·​cep·​ti·​ble | \ sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl

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