expose

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

Loosening roof shingles exposed the wood underneath.

b

: to submit or make accessible to a particular action or influence

expose children to good books

They were exposed to harmful chemicals.

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 con man

—often used with as

exposed her as a cheat

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

Synonyms of expose

• uncover

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

The shingles had fallen off, exposing the wood underneath.

Undercover investigators exposed the scam.

They threatened to expose him.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fight makes its way to the penthouse, exposing Lestat as a real live vampire to his bandmates, who, up until now, thought the vampire thing was an elaborate bit. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 8 June 2026

According to detectives, Gonzalez is accused of approaching multiple victims on separate occasions, exposing himself and masturbating before fleeing the area on an electric scooter. —Anna McAllister, CBS News, 7 June 2026

The early retirement years are when a portfolio is most vulnerable to bad market sequences, and starting five years earlier means five more years exposed to that vulnerability. —Jon Sabes, Fortune, 7 June 2026

That still left a lot of the two-time league champion’s star power exposed to be plucked by the four new teams looking to fill rosters. —Tom Carothers, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing expose

• expose oneself
• re-expose

Rhymes for expose

• aloes
• arose
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compos
• 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