susceptible

Likely to be harmed or affected by something.

• Young children are susceptible to infection.
• This wood is particularly susceptible to water damage.
• Are older people more susceptible to the disease?

How to use it: susceptible to something (These plants are susceptible to frost.)

Similar words: vulnerable, prone

Opposites: resistant, immune

Common phrases: susceptible to infection, susceptible to damage, highly susceptible

Easy to influence, persuade, or trick.

• She found a susceptible audience.
• Young buyers can be susceptible to clever advertising.
• He was especially susceptible to her charm.

How to use it: susceptible to something (He is susceptible to flattery.)

Similar words: impressionable, gullible, credulous

Common phrases: susceptible to flattery, susceptible young people, susceptible to influence

Able to be treated, explained, or changed in a particular way.

• The claim is susceptible of proof.
• These events are susceptible of several interpretations.
• Not every experience is susceptible of precise measurement.

How to use it: susceptible of something (The claim is susceptible of independent verification.)

Similar words: capable of, amenable to

Common phrases: susceptible of proof, susceptible of analysis, susceptible of explanation