exposed 1 of 2

1
2
3

exposed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of expose
1
2
3
4

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

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
Showcase the Apple iPhone Air’s slim design while protecting it with this bumper that leaves the front and back exposed. Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025 And in the height of summer, with an extra air conditioner pumping in the corner, the heat from the semi-exposed kitchen can make the dining room feel slightly steamy. Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
The exposed, naturally, try to kill the cat. Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 The convictions were later upheld, and the case exposed deep corruption that, decades later, helped spur reform movements culminating in the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act of 2000. Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
Adjective
  • Unsurprisingly, people who live farther north are more susceptible than their southern counterparts because of the shorter daylight hours—so folks in Alaska and New Hampshire would statistically be at higher risk than their counterparts in Texas or Florida, say.
    Maggie O'Neill, SELF, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Some light fabrics are especially susceptible to staining from the minerals in water.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The figures incorporated a $907 billion hit to covered companies with the remainder to uncovered firms as well as private equity and venture capital.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The victims were shot in an uncovered sallyport at the facility, officials said.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This makes West Antarctica’s ice sheet the most vulnerable to collapse.
    Evan Howell, Quanta Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Factory owners expressed their dismay on social media, noting that while workplace safety had improved significantly over the past decade, unregulated factories remained vulnerable.
    Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Before the judges revealed their scores, Leavitt told cohost Julianne Hough that her sole goal in week 6 was to redeem her week 5 stumble during a soulful contemporary routine dedicated to her husband.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
  • On Wednesday, however, senior Chiefs reporter Matt McMullen revealed another wild stat that sheds a whole new light on Kansas City's dominance this season.
    Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The ballet flat aesthetic displayed on Thursday contrasted with Rodrigo’s go-to concert shoe look.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Walls on the first floor of the Capitol are bare as portraits of Tennessee governors usually displayed outside the Governor’s Office and Old Supreme Court Chambers have been taken down to prevent them from being damaged.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While one of Netflix’s bedrock tenets has been putting its original content onto its streaming platform rather than into theaters, the company has exhibited its feature films theatrically on a case by case basis.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
  • At 16, Sweet Pea had sight and hearing loss and exhibited some dementia-like symptoms.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This allows users to benefit from AI acceleration without exposing sensitive information.
    Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Teens will need to allow their parents access and provide them with a time-sensitive QR code to complete activation.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Markle’s commitment to bare feet comes with bigger health benefits.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Walls on the first floor of the Capitol are bare as portraits of Tennessee governors usually displayed outside the Governor’s Office and Old Supreme Court Chambers have been taken down to prevent them from being damaged.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exposed

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!