EXPOSED Synonyms: 210 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

exposed 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspōzd

Definition of exposed next

as in susceptible

being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm without our immune systems we'd be exposed to all sorts of deadly infections

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncovered

lacking a usual or natural covering the exposed electrical wires were a safety hazard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in vulnerable

lacking protection from danger or resistance against attack the soldiers were so exposed in the open field that they were the proverbial sitting ducks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exposed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of expose

as in disclosed

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in revealed

to make known (as information previously kept secret) the documentary claims to expose how winners of beauty pageants are really picked

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in displayed

to make known (something abstract) through outward signs the tight race for the championship exposed one team's mean streak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in exhibited

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The overnight temperature in Evansville, Ind., dropped to 35 degrees the night of the incident – conditions under which outdoor spiders in Indiana become inactive and cannot crawl on exposed surfaces, the sheriff's department said. —

Mike Snider, USA Today, 13 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

Without a protective layer, any living thing inside a returning spacecraft would be exposed to temperatures about half as hot as the surface of the sun, or 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius). —

Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026 Immigrants make up 36 percent of restaurant owners and more than 20 percent of the industry’s workforce, according to the James Beard Foundation — a reality that industry leaders say leaves restaurants especially exposed to immigration enforcement surges. —

Serena Maria Daniels, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed

Adjective

Teens are more prone to act on emotion, more susceptible to peer pressure and often less able to consider long-term consequences.

— Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Certain medical conditions and factors like age can also make people more susceptible to the cold.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Browse Nearby Words

expose

exposed

exposer

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 10 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of exposed

adjective

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on exposed

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

tabula rasa

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 6

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Games & Quizzes