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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in displayed
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 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Pregnant women who are exposed to listeria are at risk of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, premature delivery or the life-threatening infection of their newborn. — George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 If you are exposed to it over and over again as a child, it's destigmatized instead of being scary or difficult to understand. — Monique Wilson, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2024 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
  • Tomato, pepper, eggplant and tomatillo are all susceptible to the same suite of soil pathogens.
    — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
  • In recent years, the number of satellite launches has increased, resulting in thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit that are susceptible to cyberattacks.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 5 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
  • Any monetary system, including our current fiat arrangement, is vulnerable to manipulation.
    — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • In the message sent at 2 a.m., Baldoni apologized and also thanked Lively for being vulnerable with him.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 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
  • The rise in interest rates and inflation could dampen the growth prospects of shale oil producers, particularly smaller companies that are highly sensitive to borrowing costs.
    — Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Some people may be allergic or sensitive to certain functional foods.
    — Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, LD, Health, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • My brain and experience tells me to expect something in the middle of my wildest dreams and the bare minimum swap of Hanson for Coachman.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • This includes over 900 miles of bare steel and cast iron pipes, some dating back to the 1800s.
    — Harley Flack, Baltimore Sun, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of bare
Adjective
  • The Nets still got plenty in return for Durant: Cam Johnson, nine unprotected first-round picks, one protected first round pick, two first-round swaps and three second-round picks.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025
  • If that happens and the Heat land in the lottery and keep their pick, Oklahoma City then gets the rights to Miami’s unprotected first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
    — Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of unprotected
Verb
  • But once the job became a reality, Williams discovered the job was unsustainable.
    — Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The picture, discovered by WMAR-2 reporter Elizabeth Worthington at Vito's Pizza in Baltimore City, depicts Mangione in holy robes with a golden halo, resembling depictions of Jesus Christ.
    — Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Definition of discovered

Browse Nearby Words

expose
exposed
exposes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on exposed

Nglish: Translation of exposed for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All