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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

Examples 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
Cut off pointed tip of garlic bulbs to create an exposed surface. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2025 Don’t love the exposed brick, but the skylights are great and the bathtub is fantastic. Nora Deligter, Curbed, 3 Jan. 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
Adjective
  • Although dogs appear to be less susceptible to the virus than cats, and generally experience milder symptoms, contaminated food products pose risks to canines, too.
    Emily Anthes, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • All skin is susceptible to the damage that UV rays can cause, including wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer, so slather yourself with a generous amount of SPF daily, and not just once.
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • As Magic defender Anthony Black followed the ball-handling Brunson, an uncovered Towns rolled to the basket, collected a bounce pass and soared to the basket for an easy one-handed dunk.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
  • But the family soon faced $2,300 of Caleb’s uncovered medical bills from the crash.
    Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • Even the most reliable income streams are vulnerable to external factors beyond your control.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • So much sadness and anger and sometimes tenderness, but at all times vulnerable lyrically.
    Liza Lentini, SPIN, 17 Jan. 2025
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
  • The identity of a third victim who was hospitalized has not been revealed.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • During the 2024 presidential campaign, as Musk embraced the Republican Party and then Trump, his pro-China views brought him into conflict with parts of the MAGA coalition, including on the sensitive topic of immigration.
    John Hyatt, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Authoritarian regimes should not have unfettered access to millions of Americans’ sensitive data.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Guests are asked to dangle toys from wands rather than handle cats with their bare hands, and keep from waking any felines sleeping in their circular nooks.
    Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Her navy silk wool double-breasted coat was nipped at the waist and worn with bare legs and stiletto heels.
    Leah Dolan, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • But experts say this order may leave Americans unprotected from emerging diseases such as bird flu and Marburg — and inhibit the agency from responding to new threats.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Biologist Hugh Gabriel discovered a new species of frog in Madagascar that spend their entire lives in trees in the rainforest and have a lifestyle unique for frogs.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
  • Millions of genetically identical individual animals called polyps combine to form the largest coral to ever be discovered, and it can even be seen from space.
    Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near exposed

Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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