Susceptibility Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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susceptibility
[səˌsɛptəˈbɪlɪti ]
Definitions
medical
The state or fact of being likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
Synonyms
proneness, sensitivity, vulnerability.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| susceptibility |
Typically used in scientific or medical contexts to describe the likelihood of being affected by specific conditions or diseases.
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| vulnerability |
Used to denote a state of being exposed to the possibility of harm, either physically, emotionally, or in other situations.
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| sensitivity |
Commonly used to describe the ability to perceive or respond to slight changes or influences, or the emotional responsiveness of a person.
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| proneness |
Often used to describe the tendency to exhibit a certain behavior or to be involved in certain types of situations.
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Examples of usage
- Children with asthma have a higher susceptibility to respiratory infections.
- The elderly population is more vulnerable to flu due to their susceptibility.
general
The degree to which a substance or organism is susceptible to a particular effect.
Synonyms
receptivity, sensitivity, vulnerability.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| susceptibility |
This word, exactly the same as 'susceptibility', also means the tendency to be easily influenced or harmed by something. It often appears in scientific or medical contexts.
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| sensitivity |
Sensitivity can be used to describe someone's awareness and responsiveness to the feelings of others, or to physical stimuli. It often has an emotional or physical connotation.
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| receptivity |
Receptivity is mainly used to describe someone’s openness to new ideas or experiences. It is used in contexts involving learning, communication, or emotional openness.
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| vulnerability |
Vulnerability refers to the state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. It often has a negative or risky connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The susceptibility of the material to corrosion is a concern for engineers.
- The susceptibility of insects to certain pesticides varies.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- People with high susceptibility to social influences may change their opinions based on group pressure.
- Studies show that susceptibility to peer pressure can be stronger during adolescence as developing brains are more impressionable.
Health
- Certain individuals may have a heightened susceptibility to allergies due to genetic factors.
- Environmental factors, like pollution, can increase people's susceptibility to respiratory diseases.
Education
- Students with high susceptibility to distraction may struggle in focused learning environments, impacting their academic performance.
- Teaching strategies that consider individual susceptibility levels can lead to better educational outcomes.
Technology
- Cybersecurity often addresses user susceptibility to phishing attacks, where individuals may unwittingly provide personal information.
- Understanding the susceptibility of software to certain types of attacks helps in building more secure systems.
Origin of 'susceptibility'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'susceptibilis', which means 'able to receive'.
- It evolved in the early 1600s to describe the capability of being affected or influenced.
The word 'susceptibility' originated in the mid-17th century from the Latin word 'susceptibilitas', which means 'capability of receiving'. It has been used in various contexts, from medicine to material science, to describe the tendency to be affected by something. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass a wide range of meanings related to vulnerability and sensitivity.