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Suggestible Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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suggestible

[sษ™หˆdส’ษ›stษชbษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

personality trait

Easily influenced or swayed by suggestions from others.

Synonyms

impressionable, influencible, susceptible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
suggestible

This word is often used to describe someone who is easily influenced or convinced by suggestions from others, especially in terms of ideas or beliefs.

  • Children are very suggestible and can easily believe what they see on TV.
  • The hypnosis session showed that he was highly suggestible.
impressionable

Used mainly for young people who are easily influenced because they lack experience or critical judgement. It often implies a certain naivety.

  • Teenagers are impressionable and can be easily swayed by peer pressure.
  • At an impressionable age, she started reading inspiring biographies.
influencible

A less commonly used term meaning capable of being influenced. It is not as widely recognized as the other terms and may be deemed informal or archaic.

  • Even the most influencible people can change when given the right motivation.
  • She was clearly influencible at a young age, always listening to her older siblings.
susceptible

Suggests a general vulnerability or openness to certain influences, often used when talking about being prone to diseases or emotional influences.

  • He is highly susceptible to colds every winter.
  • Young children are particularly susceptible to advertising.

Examples of usage

  • She was suggestible and often found herself agreeing with whatever her friends said.
  • His suggestible nature made him vulnerable to manipulation by those around him.
Context #2 | Adjective

psychology

Prone to accept and act on the suggestions of others.

Synonyms

compliant, receptive, suggestive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
suggestible

Used to describe a person who is easily influenced by suggestions or ideas. Typically used in psychological or social contexts.

  • Teenagers are often highly suggestible when it comes to peer pressure.
  • The patient was very suggestible under hypnosis.
suggestive

Used to describe something that implies or hints at something else, often with a sexual or provocative connotation.

  • The movie had several suggestive scenes that weren't suitable for children.
  • Her comment was suggestive and made everyone uncomfortable.
receptive

Used to describe someone who is open and willing to accept new ideas or suggestions. Often used in a positive context.

  • She is very receptive to constructive criticism.
  • We need a more receptive audience for this kind of innovation.
compliant

Used to describe someone who follows rules or instructions without questioning them. Often used in workplace or authoritative contexts.

  • The employee is highly compliant with the company's safety regulations.
  • Children who are compliant generally have an easier time in school.

Examples of usage

  • The hypnotist found her to be highly suggestible and easily put into a trance.
  • People with a suggestible personality may be more susceptible to placebo effects.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Some people are more suggestible because of their personality traits, making them likely to follow suggestions instead of thinking for themselves.
  • Hypnosis often relies on suggestibility, as it involves guiding someone into a state where they are more open to suggestions.
  • Research has shown that children are generally more suggestible than adults, making them more influenced by peers and authority figures.

Education

  • In learning environments, suggestibility can impact how students absorb information, sometimes leading them to accept incorrect facts if presented convincingly.
  • Teachers might use suggestive techniques to encourage positive behaviors, illustrating the power of suggestion in shaping student behavior.
  • Classroom discussions can demonstrate the effects of suggestibility, as group consensus can lead individuals to change their opinions.

Media Influence

  • Advertising often exploits suggestibility, using persuasive language and imagery to influence consumer choices.
  • Social media can amplify suggestibility, as trends can lead people to adopt opinions or behaviors merely because they see others doing so.
  • Celebrity endorsements play on suggestibility, as fans might easily be swayed to use products they see their favorite stars promoting.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures have varying levels of suggestibility, influenced by communal beliefs, traditions, and the prominence of authority figures.
  • In collectivist cultures, suggestibility might be higher due to strong social ties and the importance of group harmony.
  • Rituals in various cultures, like initiation rites, can heighten suggestibility, as individuals are often more open to influence during emotional or transformative experiences.

Historical Insights

  • The concept of suggestibility can be traced back to early psychological experiments, where researchers examined how people's beliefs could be shaped.
  • Famous figures like Mesmer in the 18th century explored how suggestibility relates to psychological states, paving the way for modern hypnotherapy.
  • In the 20th century, studies into mass psychology highlighted how suggestibility can lead to phenomena like mob mentality during protests or riots.

Origin of 'suggestible'

The word 'suggestible' originated from the combination of 'suggest' and the suffix '-ible', which means 'capable of'. It first appeared in the early 19th century to describe individuals who are easily influenced or swayed by suggestions. Over time, the term has been widely used in psychology and personality studies to describe individuals who are highly prone to accepting and acting on the suggestions of others.

See also: suggest, suggested, suggesting, suggestion, suggestive, suggestively.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,965 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.