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

Example Sentences

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
Prigozhin has frequently criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s traditional military hierarchy, and his comments could further expose divisions in its ranks. Aj Willingham, CNN, 25 May 2023 The case is being pursued by the U.S. Attorney's Office because a robbery involving drugs exposed King to federal statues governing violent actions in the context of interstate commerce, an agency spokesperson said. David K. Li, NBC News, 24 May 2023 These, typically, should not be left outside, exposed to the elements, or used in the rain. Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2023 But climate change has made the region hotter and drier and exposed how rules made over a century ago to share the river among Western states are inadequate to keep it from drying up. Joshua Partlow, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2023 The guard thought they were too exposed and didn’t want their location shared more widely, Singh said. Andrea Salcedo, Washington Post, 17 May 2023 And the ensemble cast is superb at milking scenes for their comic potential while exposing the hidden meanings underneath. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 17 May 2023 On the access road, exposed patches of white sand glowed in his headlamp. Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 May 2023 Her stories led to changes in charter school laws, prompted a ban on Scientology in California public schools, and exposed cheating and censorship in testing. Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 May 2023
Noun
However, a series of exposes by the Wall Street Journal, followed by multiple investigations by federal and state officials, revealed that Holmes had vastly overstated her technology's capabilities. CBS News, 11 Apr. 2023 Clarke launched the defamation claim last spring, on the one year anniversary of the expose being published. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2023 Numerous business deals have been known to unravel under the bright light of media publicity cast at an inopportune time, so the expose could potentially throw a spanner in exploratory talks to sell a multimillion-dollar stake to venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2022 The Norway branch of Minhaj-ul-Quran, an international Muslim organization that is considered moderate and geared toward outreach, suspended Noor Ahmad Noor indefinitely following an expose published by the Vartland newspaper on his antisemitic statements. sun-sentinel.com, 10 Aug. 2021 In this chilling expose, journalists crack open secret killings and Kremlin collusion that have kept the business of dirty wars above the law. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 21 Mar. 2023 The reality of Maciel’s depravity burst into the public domain Feb. 23, 1997, when The Hartford Courant published a lengthy expose by investigative journalists Jason Berry and the late Gerald Renner about Maciel and the order, whose U.S. headquarters were based in Connecticut. Nicole Winfield, courant.com, 23 Feb. 2022 While these women initially let Capote into their highly exclusive world, their friendship would later disintegrate following an expose by Capote in Esquire's November 1975 issue called Le Côte Basque, 1965, which essentially aired their dirty laundry. Isiah Magsino, Town & Country, 9 Feb. 2023 An expose of social issues? Andy Meek, BGR, 26 Apr. 2022 See More

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 31 May. 2023.

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

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!