exposed 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspōzd How to pronounce exposed (audio)
Definition of exposednext
1
as in susceptible
being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm without our immune systems we'd be exposed to all sorts of deadly infections

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2
as in uncovered
lacking a usual or natural covering the exposed electrical wires were a safety hazard

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3
as in vulnerable
lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack the soldiers were so exposed in the open field that they were the proverbial sitting ducks

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exposed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of expose
1
as in disclosed
to reveal the true nature of a well-researched article that exposes the UFO story as a hoax

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2
as in revealed
to make known (as information previously kept secret) the documentary claims to expose how winners of beauty pageants are really picked

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3
as in displayed
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs the tight race for the championship exposed one team's mean streak

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4
as in exhibited
to present so as to invite notice or attention I didn't want to expose my ignorance in front of the others, so I kept silent

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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
By placing the host in an exposed, elevated position, the fungus maximizes its chances of dispersing spores effectively. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Our cities now sit exposed, taking direct hits from stronger hurricanes with increasing frequency. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 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
  1. susceptible
  2. uncovered
  3. vulnerable
  4. revealed
  5. sensitive
  6. bare
  7. unprotected
  8. discovered
Adjective
  • Those who are not vaccinated are susceptible to the disease, Calendar said.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Risks to Consider Broadcom is still susceptible to broader economic trends.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • Celestial Park, with its wide stretches of concrete pathways, and Isle of Berk, with its meandering walkways and uncovered queues, were both particularly hot under the blazing Florida sun.
    — Adrian Ruhi, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Homeowners need to budget for ongoing costs like rising home insurance premiums and emergency costs like insurance deductibles and uncovered repairs.
    — Daryl Fairweather, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Definition of uncovered
Adjective
  • Saving currently endangered species A number of experts say that bringing back extinct animals will not solve any conservation problems and that efforts would be better spent trying to find ways to save current critically endangered or vulnerable species.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • There are several factors behind what makes a region particularly sneezy and vulnerable to certain allergens.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of vulnerable
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
Definition of revealed
Adjective
  • Concerns have been raised about DOGE operatives, many with ties to Musk's companies, gaining access to sensitive government data without adequate oversight or experience.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In late March, four Taiwanese soldiers, three of whom were part of a unit that provides security for Taiwan’s Presidential Office, were jailed for up to seven years after being convicted of selling pictures of sensitive information to China.
    — Eryk Michael Smith, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The girl recalled an incident when one of Deutsch's family members held her down while Deutsch hit her on her bare bottom with a paddle, the probable cause document says.
    — Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Given that Bednar would not be a rental, the Cubs would have to cough up more than just the bare minimum.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of bare
Adjective
  • For now, critics say the public remains uninformed—and potentially unprotected.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This is a standard precaution to prevent other hackers from exploiting the flaw, while some users are still unprotected.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of unprotected
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
Definition of discovered

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expose
exposed
exposes
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Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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