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verb

past tense of expose
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective exposed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of exposed are liable, open, prone, sensitive, subject, and susceptible. While all these words mean "being by nature or through circumstances likely to experience something adverse," exposed suggests lack of protection or powers of resistance against something actually present or threatening.

exposed to infection

When would liable be a good substitute for exposed?

The synonyms liable and exposed are sometimes interchangeable, but liable implies a possibility or probability of incurring something because of position, nature, or particular situation.

liable to get lost

When is open a more appropriate choice than exposed?

While in some cases nearly identical to exposed, open stresses a lack of barriers preventing incurrence.

a claim open to question

When might prone be a better fit than exposed?

Although the words prone and exposed have much in common, prone stresses natural tendency or propensity to incur something.

prone to delay

Where would sensitive be a reasonable alternative to exposed?

The words sensitive and exposed can be used in similar contexts, but sensitive implies a readiness to respond to or be influenced by forces or stimuli.

unduly sensitive to criticism

When is it sensible to use subject instead of exposed?

The meanings of subject and exposed largely overlap; however, subject implies an openness for any reason to something that must be suffered or undergone.

all reports are subject to review

When can susceptible be used instead of exposed?

The words susceptible and exposed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, susceptible implies conditions existing in one's nature or individual constitution that make incurrence probable.

very susceptible to flattery

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exposed
Adjective
Even with the help of the train, rescuers hiked a mile along an exposed ridgeline above 5,000 feet, encountering high winds and freezing temperatures, to reach Wilson. Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 24 June 2025 Iran would likely retaliate against U.S. troops stationed at exposed and vulnerable bases in Iraq and Syria. Reid Smith, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025
Verb
The company was dealt a major blow by a five-month data breach in 2023 that exposed the personal data of almost seven million customers. William Gavin, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2025 Last year, 23andMe agreed to pay $30 million in cash to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of failing to protect customers whose personal information was exposed in this breach. Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
Adjective
  • People with diabetes have trouble regulating blood sugar and may be more susceptible to orange juice raising blood sugar, which is why they are often counseled to avoid orange juice.11 However, studies on this subject are contradictory.
    Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 22 July 2025
  • Microgravity, radiation, confinement and a change in sleep-wake cycles and can exert pressure on cells, driving lower immune systems and making astronauts more susceptible to being sick during or after missions.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Standing tickets in the Yard at the foot of the stage are a more affordable option—but just be aware that a ticket in this area means standing in an uncovered area for the entire two- to three-hour performance.
    Ellen LeCompte, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
  • Simply place the item in an uncovered dish or a container vented with holes, and set it in humid areas like the bathroom, basement, attic, or kitchen cabinets out of reach of children and pets.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • How Did James Gunn Reboot Superman For A Modern Audience? From the very first scene, Gunn depicts Superman (David Corenswet) as vulnerable, having lost a fight for the first time.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • As a retailer known for selling discretionary items, Target has been vulnerable to high inflation and economic uncertainty.
    Melissa Repko, CNBC, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Known for documenting her experiences on over 60 cruises, her journey aboard Global Mercy showcased a stark contrast to her usual floating escapes—and revealed how cruise ship design and operations underpin this vital humanitarian effort.
    David Nikel, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • Later in May, it was revealed that a writers’ room would begin this past summer to develop two more seasons of the show.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In Cisco’s 2025 Data Privacy Benchmark, 64% of global respondents worry about inadvertently exposing sensitive information through AI tools, even as nearly half admit to feeding personal data into them.
    Boris Dzhingarov, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • And new privacy legislation in Senate Bill 1295 requires collectors of sensitive data to notify consumers if their personal data is being used to train large language models.
    Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • With its minimalist rectangular face and refined proportions, the Carino watch by Heaven Mayhem adds just enough polish to bare wrists peeking from oversized shirt cuffs.
    Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Riccardo’s dad, along with two lifeguards and other vacationers, began digging with their bare hands and eventually discovered Riccardo’s lifeless body in the hole that had collapsed and caved in, per the outlet.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • And Easterwood estimates that the majority of paint horses, left unprotected, will eventually develop skin issues.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 21 July 2025
  • The right-hander was left unprotected by the Milwaukee Brewers for the Rule 5 Draft at the MLB Winter Meetings in December.
    John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
Verb
  • In 2024, more than 100,000 pounds of turkey kielbasa products were recalled after the product was discovered to have fragments of bone inside.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Foreign objects being discovered in food is a relatively rare recall reason, with more common reasons including bacterial or viral contamination or the presence of undeclared allergens.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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