expose

verb

ik-ˈspōz How to pronounce expose (audio)
Definition of exposenext
1
as in to uncover
to reveal the true nature of a well-researched article that exposes the UFO story as a hoax

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to show
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word expose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of expose are display, exhibit, flaunt, parade, and show. While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When can display be used instead of expose?

While the synonyms display and expose are close in meaning, display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

In what contexts can exhibit take the place of expose?

The synonyms exhibit and expose are sometimes interchangeable, but exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

Where would flaunt be a reasonable alternative to expose?

While in some cases nearly identical to expose, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

When is it sensible to use parade instead of expose?

Although the words parade and expose have much in common, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

When is show a more appropriate choice than expose?

In some situations, the words show and expose are roughly equivalent. However, show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

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 expose However, its role in support of sending home asylum-seekers who’d been expelled from the United States without the opportunity to make a case for protection from persecution has exposed just how easily the safety net can come undone. — Lomi Kriel, ProPublica, 12 Mar. 2025 Police said officers were dispatched to the South Windsor Community Center at 150 Nevers Road on the report of a man believed to be exposing himself in his vehicle, which was parked facing the public skate park. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025 The Gaines’s and their team wisely kept these elements—like terrazzo floors, arched windows and doorways, and exposed beams—and incorporated them with modern touches. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025 Authorities said the child may have been exposed to the disease during international travel. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expose
  1. uncover
  2. reveal
  3. display
  4. show
  5. disclose
  6. exhibit
  7. discover
  8. unveil
Verb
  • By implementing agentic workflows, Puri suggests that customers can focus on high-value activities by reducing repetitive tasks, accelerate decision-making in real time or experiment with solutions to uncover patterns to drive innovation.
    — Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Issues with citations and publisher control The CJR researchers also uncovered evidence suggesting some AI tools ignored Robot Exclusion Protocol settings, which publishers use to prevent unauthorized access.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncover
Verb
  • The final moments of the episode also reveal that the parasitic alien Sequids are still roaming the sewers, the bloodthirsty Battle Beast is alive in space and Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown) survived the Invincible War.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Henry had been suspended in 2016 by Fox's chairman at the time, Roger Ailes, when tabloid reports revealed his relationship with a Las Vegas hostess.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of reveal
Verb
  • Exploring the veritable labyrinth of luxury—past the couture salon displaying Jean Paul Gaultier and Yves Saint Laurent treasures, the jewel-box bathrooms, and down the spiral staircase—guests eventually arrived at the storied Red Room.
    — Freya Drohan, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Dimon displays this principle by strengthening key relationships and positioning himself in a position of growth and development through frequent business travel and getting out of the office as much as possible.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of display
Verb
  • An image that circulated showed Grondeau on a private jet flying home.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Before examining the film to show what went wrong, UCLA starts every practice with everything that went right.
    — Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of show
Verb
  • Exactly who those four groups are wasn't disclosed, but some companies and notable figures have publicly put in their bid for the app.
    — Emily Blackwood, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Her name was not immediately disclosed as cops track down family members.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of disclose
Verb
  • Since last week, in Maastricht, a Dutch university city about two hours outside Amsterdam, 266 galleries have been exhibiting at this year’s edition of TEFAF, one of two fairs run by the European Fine Art Fair foundation, which focuses on selling and preserving works by Old Masters and antiquities.
    — Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • After 30 years of that work, Dvorkin has now been named a recipient of the 2025 Horatio Alger Award, an award given to professionals who exhibit perseverance and integrity despite undergoing personal hardships.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of exhibit
Verb
  • Lao Cha, a janitor, finds companionship in a stray cat and befriends a woman named Li in a virtual world, only to discover that Li is actually a 10-year-old boy.
    — Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Read on to discover the 11 best comfortable sandals at Amazon, where prices are starting at $14.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of discover
Verb
  • And as if that weren’t enough, come 1987, AMG unveiled a 6.0-liter V-8 version that made even more power: 375 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque.
    — Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2025
  • His first week in office, Trump also announced Stargate, a massive AI infrastructure investment venture unveiled at the White House in partnership with OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank.
    — Angela Yang, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of unveil

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Cite this Entry

“Expose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expose. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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