susceptible
susceptible — adjective
1. likely to be affected, changed, or damaged by something, especially because you
likely to be affected, changed, or damaged by something, especially because you lack natural protection or resistance against it.
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.
Young children are especially susceptible to colds and flu as their immune systems develop.
Eri's skin is susceptible to sunburn, so she always applies strong sunscreen before going outside.
Plants in dry, sandy soil are susceptible to damage from strong coastal winds.
- 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
文法句型
be susceptible to + noun/gerund
用法筆記
The preposition 'to' always follows this sense. The object is typically a harmful or unwanted thing (infection, damage, influence, attack).
常見錯誤
2. quick to feel strong emotions or be affected by what others say or do, because y
quick to feel strong emotions or be affected by what others say or do, because you are sensitive or lack strong emotional defences.
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.
Gabriel was highly susceptible to flattery and often trusted people who praised him.
Rania found that living in a new city made her more susceptible to loneliness.
Children at that age are deeply susceptible to peer pressure and the opinions of friends.
- 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
文法句型
be susceptible to + noun (emotional influence)
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
3. allowing a particular type of understanding or analysis — used especially of ide
allowing a particular type of understanding or analysis — used especially of ideas, statements, or theories that can be viewed from more than one angle.
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.
This mathematical theorem is susceptible of a simpler proof than the class example.
The phrase in the contract is susceptible of two quite different meanings.
- 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
- incapable of
direct opposite; 'incapable of proof' means cannot be proved
文法句型
be susceptible of + noun/gerund (formal)
用法筆記
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.