exposed 1 of 2

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
Whether as a result of the bottle being exposed to heat or sunlight, left sitting on a shelf for long periods, or simply being squeezed, plastic particles can leach into the water—and then into the body of the person drinking it. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2026 While Dybantsa made high six figures at Utah Prep, the school itself fell behind on bills and construction projects, according to reporting by The Salt Lake Tribune; at that point, the gym was still unfinished and exposed wiring lined the weight room’s ceiling. Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
Adjective
  • Tomato, pepper, eggplant and tomatillo are all susceptible to the same soil pathogens.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • For example, research shows that adolescent boys are more susceptible to pressure for risk-taking behaviors than girls.
    Amy Morin, Parents, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • An uncovered pinch by Ian Moore created a jail break and, to compound matters, Moore was an onlooker as Suter hammered the puck.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Williams sued American Demolition and uncovered years of safety issues.
    Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But his Hamlet needs a stalwart supporting cast with whom to spar, and Ahmed tangles beautifully with Shakespeare veteran Timothy Spall, who plays Laertes’ father and family adviser Polonius, and Morfydd Clark as a steely but vulnerable Ophelia.
    Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Fortunately, some dryers are designed specifically to limit the damage done to vulnerable hair.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Text messages between Crowell and Spears allegedly revealed the man asked Crowell to bring marijuana to the apartment complex, which Crowell priced at $100, according to the affidavit.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Winning Most Improved Player, the 26-year-old revealed Sunday, has been a personal goal of his since before the season began.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • During one of the drug busts in the Bronx, officials said an NYPD narcotics detection dog named Mulk displayed symptoms of fentanyl exposure.
    Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, public schools displayed an overall decline in coverage, whereas private and parochial/religious increased coverage between the two years, yet have greater variation in coverage across schools.
    Kar-Hai Chu, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Zipp exhibited widely in his lifetime and occasionally opened exhibitions with performances from his various musical projects.
    Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The Swiss chocolatier Lindt even published research this month showing consumers of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic exhibited greater demand for high-end candy — apparently driven by a desire for small luxuries.
    Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • For once in his life, Sting manages to add some sensitive harmonies without trying to steal the show.
    Brett Milano, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • By connecting a phone to a computer using a USB cable, an attacker with physical access may be able to exploit the flaw during the early boot process, potentially exposing sensitive data before full security protections are enforced.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The prominent producer’s untimely death and the events leading to it, which have not previously been reported, were laid bare at Thursday’s proceedings.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • The woman with her bare feet in the soil, sitting on a stoop or in the grass.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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