Susceptibility: meaning, definitions and examples

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susceptibility

[səˌsɛptəˈbɪlɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

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. Her susceptibility to colds is higher during the winter months. The study focused on genetic susceptibility to heart disease.
vulnerability	Used to denote a state of being exposed to the possibility of harm, either physically, emotionally, or in other situations. Small businesses often have a vulnerability to economic downturns. Her emotional vulnerability made her seek therapy.
sensitivity	Commonly used to describe the ability to perceive or respond to slight changes or influences, or the emotional responsiveness of a person. People with greater sensitivity to light should wear sunglasses outside. Her sensitivity to criticism makes her very anxious.
proneness	Often used to describe the tendency to exhibit a certain behavior or to be involved in certain types of situations. He has a proneness to making hasty decisions. Her proneness to accidents makes her cautious when driving.

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.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

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. Children's susceptibility to certain infections is well-documented Her susceptibility to peer pressure led her to make some bad decisions
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. Her sensitivity to others' needs made her a beloved counselor He has a sensitivity to loud noises, so he wears earplugs at concerts
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. Her receptivity to feedback makes her a great team player The teacher appreciated the students' receptivity to new teaching methods
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. The village's vulnerability to flooding is a major concern Showing vulnerability in a relationship can create deeper connections, but it also requires trust

Examples of usage

The susceptibility of the material to corrosion is a concern for engineers.
The susceptibility of insects to certain pesticides varies.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "susceptibility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 susceptibilidade

🇮🇳 संवेदनशीलता

🇩🇪 Anfälligkeit

🇮🇩 kerentanan

🇺🇦 сприйнятливість

🇵🇱 podatność

🇯🇵 感受性

🇫🇷 susceptibilité

🇪🇸 susceptibilidad

🇹🇷 duyarlılık

🇰🇷 민감성

🇸🇦 قابلية

🇨🇿 náchylnost

🇸🇰 náchylnosť

🇨🇳 易感性

🇸🇮 dovzetnost

🇮🇸 viðkvæmni

🇰🇿 сезімталдық

🇬🇪 მგრძნობელობა

🇦🇿 həssaslıq

🇲🇽 susceptibilidad

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,462 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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7459 lenses
7460 nasal
7461 positioned
7462 susceptibility
7463 nuisance
7464 restrain
7465 careers
...