Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

expose

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of expose

1 to reveal the true nature of
  • a well-researched article that exposes the UFO story as a hoax
Synonyms of expose

debunk, nail, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmask
Words Related to expose

demolish, discredit, disprove

disclose, divulge, tell, unveil
Phrases Synonymous with expose

blow the whistle on
Near Antonyms of expose

conceal, hide, secrete, veil
Antonyms of expose

camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask
2 to make known (as information previously kept secret)
  • The documentary claims to expose the business as a fraud.
Synonyms of expose

bare, disclose, discover, divulge, let on (about), reveal, spill, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil
Words Related to expose

confide, share

debunk, show up

unclothe, undrape

advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound

betray, blab, give away, leak

inform, squeal, talk

communicate, impart, relate

disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth
Phrases Synonymous with expose

bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about)
Near Antonyms of expose

camouflage, disguise

gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash

becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade
Antonyms of expose

cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil
3 to make known (something abstract) through outward signs
  • The tight race for the championship exposed one team's mean streak.
Synonyms of expose

bespeak, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, give away, manifest, reveal, show
Words Related to expose

bare, disclose, uncloak, uncover

advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet

project
Near Antonyms of expose

belie, misrepresent

distort, falsify, garble, twist

camouflage, disguise

gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash

conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil
4 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 of expose

display, disport, exhibit, flash, flaunt, lay out, parade, produce, show, show off, sport, strut, unveil
Words Related to expose

brandish, flourish, wave

advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, herald, placard, post, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet

divulge, talk (about), tell (of)

bare, discover, reveal, uncloak, uncover, unmask
Near Antonyms of expose

camouflage, disguise, mask

conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, obscure, occlude, occult, shroud, veil

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about expose

  1. See words that rhyme with expose Dictionary: Definition of expose Medical Dictionary: Definition of expose Spanish Central: Translation of expose Nglish: Translation of expose for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of expose for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up expose? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games