exposed 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspōzd How to pronounce exposed (audio)
Definition of exposednext
1
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

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2
as in uncovered
lacking a usual or natural covering the exposed electrical wires were a safety hazard

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3
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

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exposed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of expose
1
as in disclosed
to reveal the true nature of a well-researched article that exposes the UFO story as a hoax

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2
as in revealed
to make known (as information previously kept secret) the documentary claims to expose how winners of beauty pageants are really picked

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3
as in displayed
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs the tight race for the championship exposed one team's mean streak

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4
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

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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

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
Night Light® Hinoki cypress also performs well in containers, even in exposed sights. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 July 2025 Latham is a fan of brass or iron options from Visual Comfort & Co. Industrial bedrooms draw inspiration from converted urban lofts characterized by exposed textures, deep wall colors, and thoughtful layers that keep them comfortable, not stark. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 2 July 2025
Verb
Legacy advisory models, built around a handful of institutional contacts, often leave companies exposed — especially in a market where many traditional funds have slowed deployment. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 In a dining room decorated with geometric hanging lamps and exposed wood beams, portraits of the chef’s parents fill open shelves. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
  1. susceptible
  2. uncovered
  3. vulnerable
  4. revealed
  5. displayed
  6. exhibited
  7. sensitive
  8. bare
Adjective
  • The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Those are straightforward power rushes designed to contain mobile quarterbacks rather than spamming exotic pressure looks that could leave the defensive line susceptible to holes.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • Parking is available for $23 a day at an uncovered lot and $28 a day in a covered garage.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The three uncovered slides have soft but firm padding that extends more than 10 feet past the end of the slide.
    — Gillian Stawiszynski, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2025
Definition of uncovered
Adjective
  • Crops such as rice and soybeans are also vulnerable as excessive UV-B can reduce yields and threaten food security.
    — Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement This granular knowledge and deep curiosity is also what drives Speer’s long-standing dedication to protecting the vast, vulnerable open ocean and deep-sea environments that lie outside of national borders and hold some of the largest reservoirs of biodiversity on earth.
    — Bonnie Tsui, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of vulnerable
Verb
  • The 2025 Country Music Association Awards nominations have been revealed, and there are, of course, some snubs and surprises.
    — Marcus K. Dowling, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Two cases revealed delays of more than 100 days before basic intake checks were completed.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of revealed
Verb
  • Colors are displayed with unwavering precision, gradients move with fluidity, and images are razor-sharp.
    — Matt Emma, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The polarization was vividly displayed on the eve of the start of the trial, when tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets to express their views in favor and against Bolsonaro’s prosecution.
    — Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of displayed
Verb
  • The remainder of the perimeter exhibited primarily backing and smoldering fire behavior.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Narwhals have exhibited intense fear responses to seismic airguns used in oil and gas exploration, making sudden, deep dives to escape the blasts.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of exhibited
Adjective
  • Formulated without alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, the TheraBreath Whitening Fresh Breath Oral Rinse uses glucose oxidase and enzymes called papain to help break up stains and kill bad-breath-causing bacteria—all without aggravating sensitive teeth and gums.
    — Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Organizations are increasingly relying on AI to handle the initial assessment load, especially in high-volume or compliance-sensitive hiring scenarios.
    — Aaron Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Water savings Copley said there was very little change, considering that the area was bare for some time before the drought tolerant landscape was installed.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
  • This year’s most ambitious chefs laid themselves bare, their autobiographical storytelling shaping singular restaurants.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of bare

Browse Nearby Words

expose
exposed
exposer
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Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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