Synonyms of expose

expose

verb

ik-ˈspōz 

1

as in to uncover

to reveal the true nature of

a well-researched article that exposes the UFO story as a hoax

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uncover
• disclose
• discredit
• unmask
• demolish
• debunk
• show up
• tell
• undress
• unveil
• uncloak
• disprove
• blow the whistle on
• nail
• divulge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguise
• mask
• hide
• conceal
• veil
• secrete
• camouflage
• cloak

2

as in to reveal

to make known (as information previously kept secret)

the documentary claims to expose how winners of beauty pageants are really picked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reveal
• disclose
• discover
• uncover
• tell
• share
• announce
• divulge
• unveil
• unmask
• bare
• spill
• leak
• bring to light
• let on (about)
• publish
• unbosom
• uncloak
• confide
• go public (with)
• spill the beans (about)
• inform
• advertise
• proclaim
• declare
• promulgate
• let the cat out of the bag (about)
• betray
• publicize
• debunk
• confess
• unearth
• acknowledge
• post
• show up
• impart
• relate
• communicate
• bring out
• broadcast
• own
• talk
• admit
• unclothe
• concede
• give away
• blab
• avow
• smoke out
• sound
• blaze
• undrape
• disinter
• squeal
• placard
• rake up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conceal
• hide
• cover (up)
• veil
• mask
• cloak
• disguise
• shroud
• camouflage
• enshroud
• whitewash
• obscure
• gloss (over)
• varnish
• gild
• overshadow
• shade
• eclipse
• darken
• overcast
• becloud
• cloud
• befog
• bedim

3

as in to display

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

the tight race for the championship exposed one team's mean streak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• reveal
• display
• show
• demonstrate
• betray
• manifest
• communicate
• declare
• evince
• disclose
• give away
• uncover
• bare
• sound
• bespeak
• announce
• proclaim
• advertise
• publicize
• air
• broadcast
• unbosom
• uncloak
• project
• blaze
• trumpet
• placard

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misrepresent
• distort
• belie
• falsify
• disguise
• twist
• hide
• conceal
• camouflage
• cover
• obscure
• veil
• whitewash
• mask
• gloss (over)
• occlude
• gild
• varnish
• garble
• counterfeit

4

as in to show

to present so as to invite notice or attention

I didn't want to expose my ignorance in front of the others, so I kept silent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• display
• show
• exhibit
• unveil
• flash
• produce
• announce
• flaunt
• wave
• reveal
• parade
• show off
• strut
• sport
• lay out
• advertise
• proclaim
• discover
• publicize
• divulge
• flourish
• uncover
• tell (of)
• disport
• broadcast
• post
• air
• bare
• unmask
• brandish
• herald
• talk (about)
• sound
• blaze
• trumpet
• placard
• uncloak

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguise
• mask
• camouflage
• hide
• conceal
• cover
• curtain
• veil
• obscure
• occlude
• enshroud
• shroud
• occult

Synonym Chooser

How is the word expose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of expose are display, exhibit, flaunt, parade, and show. While all these words mean "to present so as to invite notice or attention," expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

When can display be used instead of expose?

While the synonyms display and expose are close in meaning, display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

In what contexts can exhibit take the place of expose?

The synonyms exhibit and expose are sometimes interchangeable, but exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

Where would flaunt be a reasonable alternative to expose?

While in some cases nearly identical to expose, flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

When is it sensible to use parade instead of expose?

Although the words parade and expose have much in common, parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

When is show a more appropriate choice than expose?

In some situations, the words show and expose are roughly equivalent. However, show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expose

His focus on football, basketball, and water polo—and plans to eventually follow in his father’s footsteps to become a mechanical engineer—shifted after a knee injury, and being exposed to theater in LA. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2025

How Alaska’s strategic, remote location has exposed its vulnerabilities. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025

The result left the family exposed to toxic mold which caused seizures and rashes, the lawsuit alleges. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025

Giving the vaccine is not about encouraging a particular behavior, but about giving protection in case someone becomes exposed to a virus someday. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025