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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

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
In the Epuyen outbreak, more than 80 healthcare workers were exposed to patients with symptoms, but none was directly infected themselves, though very few used any personal protective equipment. Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 6 May 2026 While some brands like BMW and Mercedes have large production sites in America, other German brands like Audi and Porsche are heavily exposed to the new tariff. Charles Singh, USA Today, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
Adjective
  • Fruit trees such as peaches, nectarines, and apricots are particularly susceptible to early frost damage.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 May 2026
  • The plaintiff, Brian Keim, alleged that Trader Joe's made some customers susceptible to identity theft because some stores printed transaction receipts that included the first six and last four digits of customers' credit or debit card numbers, according to filings.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 9 May 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
  • Harassment tends to happen while Metro passengers wait for either the bus or train; bus stops are particularly vulnerable.
    Oren Peleg, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • In light of federal immigration crackdowns, funding cuts and rollbacks to civil rights protections and oversight, how can California better serve vulnerable student populations, including those who are immigrants, are LGBTQ+ and have disabilities?
    Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Instead, the data revealed a planet in flux where areas brightened explosively in one year and dimmed sharply the next; regions flickered in rhythms tied to oil booms, armed conflicts, and pandemic lockdowns.
    Bree Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • Morgan also revealed that the chain has 22 locations under construction.
    Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Counters, small handful of brands, selling commission, prices not displayed, GWPs.
    Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 8 May 2026
  • As students were trying to prepare for and take final exams Thursday, Canvas login pages displayed a ransom demand.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • Rebellion was also apparent in the hairstyles exhibited, most notably by singer Miley Cyrus, a fashion fanatic, whose short, spiked look paired perfectly with her risque fishnet Marc Jacobs gown.
    Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 4 May 2026
  • Alphabet announced plans to raise its AI spending, but also exhibited an ability to monetize AI through ad revenue and demand for cloud contract services, with a backlog of deals valued at $460 billion, according to the company’s earnings results.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • The film opens with its shy, sensitive twentysomething protagonist, Bear, struggling to confess his feelings for his childhood friend, Nikki.
    Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Under Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao, China was more focused on economic integration and more sensitive to its international reputation, said Genser, who helped win another activist's freedom in 2007.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • The question of who gets better internet access has laid bare divisions within the regime.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
  • That’s the point when the world hits the bare minimum amounts of oil needed for pipelines, storage tanks and export terminals to function properly.
    Grant Smith, Fortune, 9 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

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