susceptible

susceptible — adjective

1. likely to be affected, changed, or damaged by something, especially because you

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

likely to be affected, changed, or damaged by something, especially because you lack natural protection or resistance against it.

Example

Older adults are more susceptible to heat stroke during extreme summer weather.

be susceptible to + [medical condition]

The office computers ran old software and were highly susceptible to viruses.

Common collocations
  • highly susceptible
  • particularly susceptible
  • especially susceptible
  • susceptible to infection
  • susceptible to damage
  • susceptible to disease
Synonyms
  • vulnerable

    more common in physical danger contexts; 'susceptible' can also apply to abstract influence

  • prone

    suggests a habitual tendency; 'susceptible' emphasizes weakness or lack of resistance

  • at risk

    a phrase rather than a single word; used in health and safety contexts

Antonyms
  • resistant

    implies active defence or immunity against something

  • immune

    stronger than resistant; suggests complete protection

Grammar Patterns

be susceptible to + noun/gerund

Usage Note

The preposition 'to' always follows this sense. The object is typically a harmful or unwanted thing (infection, damage, influence, attack).

Common Mistakes

She is susceptible of catching cold easily.
She is susceptible to catching cold easily.
Sense 1 always uses 'susceptible to', not 'susceptible of'.

2. quick to feel strong emotions or be affected by what others say or do, because y

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

quick to feel strong emotions or be affected by what others say or do, because you are sensitive or lack strong emotional defences.

Example

As a susceptible teenager, Reuben would cry easily during sad scenes at the cinema.

describes emotional sensitivity of a person

The young athlete was susceptible to the coach's harsh words and lost confidence.

Common collocations
  • emotionally susceptible
  • susceptible to flattery
  • susceptible to pressure
  • easily susceptible
  • deeply susceptible
Synonyms
  • impressionable

    focuses on being easily shaped by external influence; slightly more specific than 'susceptible'

  • sensitive

    broader term; can refer to physical or emotional reactivity

  • suggestible

    refers specifically to being easily influenced by suggestions or ideas

Antonyms
  • hardened

    implies someone who has built emotional defences over time

  • resilient

    positive opposite; able to recover quickly from emotional difficulties

Grammar Patterns

be susceptible to + noun (emotional influence)

Usage Note

This sense refers specifically to emotional or psychological influence rather than physical harm. It often describes people who are impressionable or have not yet built strong emotional boundaries.

Common Mistakes

She is susceptible for emotional advertising.
She is susceptible to emotional advertising.
Even for the emotional sense, the correct preposition is 'to', not 'for'.

3. allowing a particular type of understanding or analysis — used especially of ide

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

allowing a particular type of understanding or analysis — used especially of ideas, statements, or theories that can be viewed from more than one angle.

Example

The judge's remark is susceptible of several different legal interpretations.

susceptible of + noun (formal construction)

Vivek argued that the ancient poem is susceptible of a purely political reading.

Common collocations
  • susceptible of interpretation
  • susceptible of proof
  • susceptible of explanation
  • susceptible of analysis
Synonyms
  • capable of

    more common in everyday language; 'susceptible of' has a more formal, intellectual tone

  • open to

    common alternative; 'open to interpretation' is more widely used

  • admitting of

    very formal synonym; rarely used outside legal or academic writing

Antonyms
  • incapable of

    direct opposite; 'incapable of proof' means cannot be proved

Grammar Patterns

be susceptible of + noun/gerund (formal)

Usage Note

This sense uses 'of' (not 'to') and is restricted to formal or academic contexts. The subject is nearly always an abstract thing (idea, statement, argument, theory), never a person.

Common Mistakes

His claim is susceptible to several interpretations.
His claim is susceptible of several interpretations.
Sense 3 requires 'of', not 'to'. Using 'to' changes the meaning to sense 1 (easily harmed).

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These words all describe being open to harm or influence, but they differ in scope and typical use. 'Vulnerable' is the broadest term, covering physical, emotional, and social contexts; a vulnerable person can be attacked, hurt, or taken advantage of. 'Prone' suggests a habitual or natural tendency, often with a slightly negative tone — someone prone to accidents is not simply at risk but has a pattern of getting into trouble. 'At risk' is a situational phrase used especially in health, safety, and finance; it highlights external danger rather than internal weakness. 'Exposed' implies a lack of shelter or protection, often in a literal spatial sense. For example: refugees are vulnerable after losing their homes (general); a driver is prone to distraction when using a phone (habitual); elderly patients are at risk of dehydration during a heatwave (situational danger); a house with a broken roof is exposed to rain and wind (literal lack of shelter).

vulnerable ↗proneat risk ↗exposed

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • more susceptible to
  • less susceptible to
  • susceptible to change
  • susceptible to criticism

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'susceptibilis' meaning 'capable of being taken up', formed from 'suscipere' (to take up, receive, accept), which combines 'sub-' (up from under) and 'capere' (to take). The word entered English in the early 17th century through late Latin and French. The original meaning 'capable of receiving or admitting' is still preserved in the formal 'susceptible of' construction (sense 3), while the more common 'easily affected' meanings (senses 1 and 2) developed later.