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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
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
While Roblox has filters and moderation, kids can still be exposed to inappropriate language, scams, or unsafe conversations. Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025 Some secrets should be left secret, Morticia believes, but little white lie secrets should be exposed. Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exposed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
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
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
Adjective
  • Last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval for COVID-19 vaccine doses for people over age 65, who are most vulnerable to severe infections.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Recent studies have shown entry-level positions especially vulnerable to automation are being scaled back thanks to AI.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
  • Anphsin 12-Piece Velvet Pumpkin Set Luxe velvet is the fabric of fall, and these soft and sophisticated velvet pumpkins can be displayed in a variety of ways.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Hong Kong and Beijing — At a busy market in a small town of China’s Hebei province, Labubu is no longer the coveted collectible displayed in glass cases.
    Haicen Yang, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Steep, rugged terrain with grass and brush is exhibited over most of the fire area with heavy fuels in flatter topography near the Teakettle Experimental Forest.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Investigators said Travis Decker exhibited mental health issues before the girls' killings, court filings obtained by USA TODAY show.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bella, now three and a half years old, was described by Overbye as calm, sensitive, quiet, smart, and playful.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Prevent this by grounding AI in your documents and adding human review for sensitive content.
    Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Similar complaints were made in the 1990s and 2000s building boom that led to a series of functional stadia springing up across the UK, usually complete with bare breeze block walls that gave a pre-match pint on the concourse all the appeal of an evening spent down the local multi-story car park.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The can opener mounted on the prep table had a dirty blade, an employee touched food with his bare hands and there was no thermometer for checking internal food temperature.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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