expose

1 of 2

verb

ex·​pose ik-ˈspōz 

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 

-spə-

variants or less commonly expose

1

: a formal statement of facts

2

: an exposure of something discreditable

a newspaper exposé of government corruption

Synonyms

Verb

• debunk
• nail
• show up
• uncloak
• uncover
• undress
• unmask

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 deadline to claim for the 2023 cyberattack that exposed the data of nearly 7 million users is Jul. 14, 2025. —Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

The effect wasn't seen in girls, but girls exposed to higher testosterone levels in the womb were found to have lower muscle strength at age seven. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Noun

The network, which will air the Critics Choice Awards in January, also has a number of specials in its Dirty Rotten Scandals strand including exposes on America’s Next Top Model, The Dr. Phil Show and The Price is Right. —Peter White, Deadline, 12 May 2025

In the wake of ProPublica’s expose of the Community Response Team, critics are calling for the unit to be disbanded. —Eric Umansky, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing expose

• expose oneself
• re-expose

Rhymes for expose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

expose

1 of 2 verb

ex·​pose ik-ˈspōz 

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 

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 auction

—Detroit 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