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

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

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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

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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

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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 appeal lies in watching urban Stockholm gradually give way to holiday homes, wooded islands and finally the more exposed landscape of the outer archipelago. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Daniel Bertoni, Argentina vs Netherlands, 1978 Two-goal Mario Kempes surges from deep, tries a one-two with Bertoni, only for the latter to get in the way, deny Kempes his hat-trick and score himself past an exposed Jongbloed. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Verb

For Pritzker, one of the most difficult lessons exposed the limitations of his office. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Homer Hill, as the name suggests, is also at no little altitude, and bitterly exposed to the elements when winter arrives. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed

Adjective

Without Micah Parsons, the Packers’ defensive front looks susceptible.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Women who went into early menopause, smoked, have low body weight or have taken (or are currently taking) a GLP-1 are more susceptible to bone loss.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

But Texas is one of 10 states that chose not to expand Medicaid after the ACA became law, so many of the poorest Texans remain uncovered.

— Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
There, too, cafés have been pressured to refuse to serve uncovered women, a young woman who recently traveled there told me.

— Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of uncovered

Verb

The retail concept also includes a dedicated Fragrance Gallery, where Outside In’s inaugural trio of eaux de parfum — called Earth After Rain, Light Language and Undiscovered Rose, priced at $260 each — will be displayed and available for purchase.

— Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
The dress will be unveiled at Sotheby’s London on September 18 and displayed until September 24, before exhibiting in Hong Kong from October 1 to 15, in Geneva from November 6 to 11, and in New York from December 2.

— Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of displayed

Verb

Sinéty’s first retrospective, on view now at the Jeu de Paume, marks a growing interest in an artist whose work was barely published, and only twice exhibited, in her lifetime.

— Felix Bazalgette, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026
Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of exhibited

Adjective

Reputation work can involve sensitive information about executives, companies and disputes.

— Scott Keever, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Aestura’s Atobarrier365 Cream is a K-beauty go-to, lauded by shoppers with dry-slash-sensitive skin for its moisturizing and barrier-boosting perks.

— Sophie Dunne, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of sensitive

Adjective

At Gatwick Airport, about 30 miles south of central London, passengers stretched out on the bare floor beside their suitcases.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
After enduring a harrowing court proceeding in July that laid bare the grisly details of their daughter’s death, the parents of Celeste Rivas Hernandez are suing singer D4vd for wrongful death and accusing his mother and managers of negligence.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bare

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expose

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exposer

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“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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