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
For example, if employees skip two-factor authentication (2FA), then the company's attack surface is extremely exposed. —Galit Lubetzky, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Top stock picks With oil prices under pressure, UBS sees independent exploration and production firms and the oilfield services companies as the most exposed. —Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 15 Apr. 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
  • Recent research shows rural SMEs, those based outside city limits, may be more susceptible to financial risk posed by climate hazards.
    — Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • These mutations can make the cancer more aggressive but also potentially susceptible to a specific type of drug called a PARP inhibitor, especially if the cancer becomes resistant to hormone therapy.
    — Jason P. Joseph, The Conversation, 21 May 2025
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • One pitch later, Savannah Pola dropped down a bunt and, spotting an uncovered second base, the speedy second baseman turned it into a heads-up double.
    — Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
  • For a charcoal grill, grill corn on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 12 to 16 minutes or just until tender, turning frequently.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2025
Definition of uncovered
Adjective
  • If a redraw goes forward, the most vulnerable House incumbents would be Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) in the southwestern 3rd Congressional District and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) in the southeastern 1st Congressional District.
    — David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
  • This leaves them vulnerable to starvation and dehydration.
    — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Verb
  • Their findings revealed that persistent visual cues of disorganization deplete our cognitive resources and impair our ability to concentrate.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
  • 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
Definition of revealed
Adjective
  • Other lawsuits have focused on one area DOGE has seen great success in: amassing sensitive government data and combining it into massive databases.
    — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 30 May 2025
  • Tian also allegedly sent additional sensitive data on U.S. weapons systems.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Rickson stages both plays with elegant restraint, arranging just a few bits of furniture in front of a bare brick wall.
    — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 22 May 2025
  • Our testers ranged from 35 years old to over 65, and each person carefully applied foundation on dry, bare skin using both a foundation brush and a makeup sponge.
    — Jennifer Chan, People.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of bare
Adjective
  • Over the next seven years, the Kings have all of their own first-round picks along with unprotected first-round picks from the San Antonio Spurs (2027) and Minnesota Timberwolves (2031).
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025
  • That's a huge trade package in which the Bucks receive either the most recent Rookie Of the Year winner, or the second overall pick, an unprotected pick, and key role players in Vassell, Sochan, and an expiring contract in Barnes.
    — Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 13 May 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 5 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of exposed for Spanish Speakers

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