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
African economies are especially exposed to fuel and fertilizer shocks. Vidya Mani, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026 Cheap giveaways at Old Trafford exposed it on transition, leading to Manchester United’s first two goals. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
Adjective
  • These are not quite as susceptible to the global supply chain shocks that have so disrupted fossil fuels in recent years, including the current chaos for oil and natural gas due to the Iran war.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Chronic Dehydration Women appear to be more susceptible to the cognitive and mood effects of mild dehydration than men, and losing just 2% of body weight in fluid can impair physical performance by 10-20%.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In other cases, the complaint alleges, Kinex would bundle an uncovered medical device commonly prescribed after surgery with a device that was not needed for recovery but was covered by insurance, the complaint says.
    Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The restaurant was in violation of 10 standards, including containers of uncovered food and dishes stacked wet.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But if the jumpers go cold, the Tide will be vulnerable to a first-round upset.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • On a typical day, a significant share of oil exports from the Arabian Peninsula depends on just a handful of critical routes and terminals -- making the system highly vulnerable to disruption, according to Matt Smith, the lead oil analyst at energy consultant group Kpler.
    Victor Ordonez, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Laura, however, emerges relatively unscathed despite their car being overturned, bringing to mind the creepy lo-fi classic Carnival of Souls, whose heroine appears to miraculously emerge from a crash, only to be revealed to have actually died in it.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
  • But a full medical workup wasn’t completed until shortly before Stevenson’s tryouts last year, when an MRI revealed that surgery was needed.
    Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, the 46-year-old Los Angeles resident organized a vigil Tuesday night at a local park, where the photos of slain protesters were displayed and dozens of Iranian Americans lit candles and took turns hopping over tea lights in a version of a fire-jumping tradition known as Chaharshanbe Suri.
    AMY TAXIN, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Some of the drawings are displayed to the left of the wall text.
    Isadora Pennington, AJC.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • This performance gap exhibited by smaller advertisers has attracted solution providers ranging from major technology firms to niche startups.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Regularly exhibited as a prototype at construction fairs, Tiny House Shadow has made a remarkable entrance on the market.
    Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Any one of those facts should have triggered harder questions about putting sensitive law enforcement data on Microsoft’s cloud.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Aestura’s Atobarrier365 Cream aims to help dry, sensitive skin find that same kind of balance.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Iconic mountain towns like Aspen, Colorado, and Park City, Utah, were seen with shockingly bare slopes, as the region endured a historic snow drought that experts warn could bring water shortages and wildfires in the months ahead.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • The finale stretched out over two hours, and by the time Canada, Shires, and Jason Boland, respectively, stepped into the spotlight to cap the night, the love and admiration for Snider had been laid bare.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.

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