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Definition of exposednext
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exposed

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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

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

Example 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
During that intrusion, the attacker discovered an exposed API that could be used to access customer information linked to 700Credit's dealership clients. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025 Prep Your Home’s Exterior Winterizing is an important step to protect exposed infrastructure from damage caused by cold temperatures or heavy snowfall. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
African economies are especially exposed to fuel and fertilizer shocks. Vidya Mani, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026 Cheap giveaways at Old Trafford exposed it on transition, leading to Manchester United’s first two goals. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
Adjective
  • Writers said the article emphasized findings that were subjective and susceptible to bias.
    David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Long-term drought conditions mean that vegetation is especially susceptible to fire.
    Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In other cases, the complaint alleges, Kinex would bundle an uncovered medical device commonly prescribed after surgery with a device that was not needed for recovery but was covered by insurance, the complaint says.
    Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The restaurant was in violation of 10 standards, including containers of uncovered food and dishes stacked wet.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Administration’s treatment of immigration officers as a vulnerable group rests on claims that agents now face unprecedented threats.
    Oriana van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Small caps, which tend to be more exposed to economic cycles and financing conditions, are particularly vulnerable in an environment of higher energy prices and tightening liquidity.
    Yun Li, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The winner will be honored on the Fort Worth All-Area Team, which will be revealed Monday.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The imaging revealed some thickening in my breast tissue, which can indicate anything from an infection or cyst to (rarely) cancer.
    Jillian Wager, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • About 20 relatives and friends of the sergeant have filled three center courtroom gallery benches during the trial, including when prosecutors displayed five autopsy photos to the jury.
    Emerson Clarridge Updated March 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
  • For Gulf economies, being dollar-pegged remains a major risk on the inflation front, Iqbal said, adding that traditional safe havens — namely gold — have displayed characteristics more akin to a risk asset, shaped by the strengthening dollar and rising interest rate expectations.
    Hugh Leask, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This performance gap exhibited by smaller advertisers has attracted solution providers ranging from major technology firms to niche startups.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Regularly exhibited as a prototype at construction fairs, Tiny House Shadow has made a remarkable entrance on the market.
    Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This wasn’t surprising, given that intelligence agencies compartmentalize information about sensitive operations.
    David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • It is well understood in the region that could mean things like broad targeting of sensitive and highly vulnerable energy installations, something Iran has already threatened, essential for the regional and global economies, as well as hard to quickly repair and rebuild.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Workers in luminous yellow jackets sat on bare concrete slabs during games, occasionally fetching footballs that flew through the uprights and bounced around.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Combined with her rounded almond shape, Gomez's nails look clean and healthy with just the right amount of shine for an elevated take on a bare nail.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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