susceptible
gb/səsˈɛptəbəl/ us/səsˈɛptəbəl/
B2
English
~ 8200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
easily affected or harmed by something
Easily harmed or changed by something, or easily influenced by it.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is susceptible to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *'susceptible of' something harmful (e.g. *'susceptible of cancer'). In modern English, for this meaning we almost always use 'susceptible to' plus the thing that affects or harms: 'susceptible to cancer', 'susceptible to stress'. Also, do not say *'very much susceptible'; use 'highly susceptible' or 'particularly susceptible'.
Synonyms
vulnerable (Very close in meaning; often used for people or systems that can be easily harmed, while 'susceptible' also often takes 'to' plus a cause.)
|
prone (Emphasizes a tendency to experience something, especially problems; often used for repeated problems (e.g. 'prone to headaches').)
Antonyms
resistant (Describes someone or something that does not allow a substance, influence, or change to affect it easily.)
|
immune (Stronger idea than 'resistant', often used with diseases or criticism, meaning completely or almost completely protected.)
Collocations
susceptible to infection
|susceptible to disease
|susceptible to damage
|highly susceptible
|particularly susceptible
|susceptible to change
Themes
health
|science
|risk
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Young children are particularly susceptible to infections during the winter.
- These crops are highly susceptible to damage from frost.
- Investors who are not well informed are more susceptible to online scams.
- Coastal areas are especially susceptible to flooding as sea levels rise.
- People under stress may be more susceptible to advertising messages.
Learner examples
- Babies are very susceptible to cold weather.
- This old bridge is susceptible to damage in strong winds.
- Some people are more susceptible to the flu than others.
- He is susceptible to pressure from his friends.
- Dry skin is susceptible to small cuts.
adjective
B2
property
2
easily emotionally influenced or impressed
Easily moved by feelings or other people, so that you can quickly like, trust, or be hurt by them.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is susceptible to [emotional influence]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'sensitive'. 'Susceptible' here suggests not only feeling emotions strongly but also being easily influenced by other people, praise, or criticism. Use 'susceptible to' with the thing that influences: 'susceptible to flattery', not *'susceptible by flattery'.
Synonyms
impressionable (Stresses that someone, often young, is easily influenced or shaped by other people or ideas.)
|
sensitive (Focuses on feeling things deeply and being easily hurt; not always about being influenced.)
Antonyms
thick-skinned (Describes someone who is not easily hurt or affected by criticism, insults, or emotional pressure.)
|
impervious (More formal; suggests not being affected at all by emotions, criticism, or influence.)
Collocations
susceptible to flattery
|susceptible to charm
|emotionally susceptible
|highly susceptible to criticism
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Teenagers can be very susceptible to peer pressure.
- He is quite susceptible to flattery, so complimenting him usually works.
- The audience was highly susceptible to the speaker's emotional story.
- She is susceptible to criticism and takes even small comments very personally.
- Young voters are especially susceptible to messages they see on social media.
Learner examples
- He is susceptible to other people’s opinions.
- She is very susceptible to praise and kind words.
- Children are susceptible to peer pressure at school.
- I am susceptible to sad movies and cry easily.
- They are susceptible to strong leaders who speak with passion.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
capable of a particular treatment or interpretation
Able to be treated, changed, or understood in a particular way.
Usage pattern:
[something] is susceptible of [action/interpretation]
Common mistake:
This formal pattern 'susceptible of + noun/gerund' is rare in modern everyday speech. Learners sometimes try to use it in casual conversation, where 'can be' or 'able to be' is more natural. For example, say 'The claim can be proved', not '*The claim is susceptible of proof' in normal conversation.
Synonyms
capable (Very general; often used with 'of' to show that something can be done or is possible.)
|
amenable (Formal; often used for things that can be changed or influenced by a process or method.)
Antonyms
incapable (Shows that something cannot be treated, changed, or done in the stated way.)
|
insusceptible (Rare and formal; means not susceptible to a particular treatment or action.)
Collocations
susceptible of proof
|susceptible of change
|susceptible of only one interpretation
Themes
law
|academia
|formal_writing
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The claim is not susceptible of proof with the data we currently have.
- The contract is susceptible of several different interpretations.
- Such behavior is scarcely susceptible of logical explanation.
- The figures are susceptible of improvement if costs can be reduced.
- His theory is susceptible of being tested in future experiments.
Learner examples
- This idea is susceptible of many meanings.
- The report is susceptible of change before it is final.
- The case is not susceptible of a quick answer.
- These numbers are susceptible of another kind of analysis.
- The rule is susceptible of only one clear reading.
Grammar
Dictionary form
susceptible
IPA
GB/səsˈɛptəbəl/
US/səsˈɛptəbəl/
Syllables & stress
sus - cept - ible (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cept)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: susceptible
Word family
Core family
susceptibility
noun
Expressions
be susceptible of
1/bˈi səsˈɛptəbəl əv/
fixed phrase
formal
to be capable of a certain treatment
To be able to be treated, proved, changed, or understood in a particular way.
Examples
- The data is susceptible of various interpretations.
- His statement is susceptible of proof if additional documents are found.
be susceptible to
1/bˈi səsˈɛptəbəl tə/
fixed phrase
to be easily affected by something
To be in a state where something can easily harm you, change you, or influence you.
Examples
- Smokers are more likely to be susceptible to lung infections.
- People who are very tired may be susceptible to making simple mistakes.
- Older buildings can be susceptible to damage during earthquakes.