expose

1 of 2

verb

ex·​pose ik-ˈspōz How to pronounce expose (audio)
exposed; exposing

transitive verb

1
a
: to deprive of shelter, protection, or care : subject to risk from a harmful action or condition
expose troops needlessly
has not yet been exposed to measles
b
: to submit or make accessible to a particular action or influence
expose children to good books
especially : to subject (a sensitive photographic film, plate, or paper) to radiant energy
c
: to abandon (an infant) especially by leaving in the open
2
a
: to make known : bring to light
expose a shameful secret
b
: to disclose the faults or crimes of
expose a murderer
3
: to cause to be visible or open to view : display: such as
a
: to offer publicly for sale
b
: to exhibit for public veneration
c
: to reveal the face of (a playing card) or the cards of (a player's hand)
d
: to engage in indecent exposure of (oneself)
exposer noun

exposé

2 of 2

noun

ex·​po·​sé ˌek-spō-ˈzā How to pronounce exposé (audio)
-spə-
variants or less commonly expose
1
: a formal statement of facts
2
: an exposure of something discreditable
a newspaper exposé of government corruption
Choose the Right Synonym for expose

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention.

show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Examples of expose in a Sentence

Verb The shingles had fallen off, exposing the wood underneath. Undercover investigators exposed the scam. They threatened to expose him. Noun a newspaper exposé of government corruption The show aired an exposé on the candidate's financial indiscretions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The key buys here are a collarless blazer—short and fitted for fall; as a cocoon or scarf coat longer for winter—and pencil skirt (leather, wool; perhaps even exposed like at Prada). Laura Jackson, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2024 So when a pathogen gets exposed via those pesticides, the valley fever fungus is also in those soils. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2024
Noun
The shocking expose about Hezbollah’s enslavement of a Syrian woman aired days after Israel reportedly launched devastating explosions of pagers held by thousands of Hezbollah terrorists across Lebanon in September. Fox News, 2 Oct. 2024 The scale of Bhutan's crypto operations remained hidden until April 2023, when Forbes published an expose revealing the kingdom's secret investments. Andrey Sergeenkov, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expose 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French exposer, from Latin exponere to set forth, explain (perfect indicative exposui), from ex- + ponere to put, place — more at position

Noun

French exposé, from past participle of exposer

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expose was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near expose

Cite this Entry

“Expose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expose. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

expose

1 of 2 verb
ex·​pose ik-ˈspōz How to pronounce expose (audio)
exposed; exposing
1
a
: to leave without shelter, protection, or care
b
: to make open to an action or influence
expose students to good books
had been exposed to measles
especially : to let light fall on (photographic film)
2
: to make known
expose a dishonest scheme
3
: to put on display
exposer noun

exposé

2 of 2 noun
ex·​po·​sé
ˌek-spō-ˈzā
: an exposing of something disgraceful

Medical Definition

expose

transitive verb
ex·​pose ik-ˈspōz How to pronounce expose (audio)
exposed; exposing
1
: to subject to risk from a harmful action or condition
children exposed to measles
2
: to lay open to view: as
a
: to conduct (oneself) as an exhibitionist
b
: to reveal (a bodily part) especially by dissection

Legal Definition

expose

transitive verb
ex·​pose
exposed; exposing
1
: to subject to risk from a harmful action or condition: as
a
: to make (one) open to liability or financial loss
b
: to leave (a child) uncared-for and lacking shelter from the elements
2
: to cause to be visible or open to view: as
a
: to offer publicly for sale
all of which I shall expose for sale at public auctionDetroit Law Journal
b
: to purposely uncover (one's private body parts) or leave open to view in a place or situation in which such conduct is likely to be deemed offensive or indecent especially as set forth by statute see also indecent exposure

More from Merriam-Webster on expose

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