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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
While Hostin spoke, Anderson reached over and pulled Hostin's dress up to cover the exposed garment, prompting Hostin to pause her question and smile. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025 Cut off pointed tip of garlic bulbs to create an exposed surface. Josh Miller, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
Pregnant women who are exposed to listeria are at risk of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, premature delivery or the life-threatening infection of their newborn. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 If you are exposed to it over and over again as a child, it's destigmatized instead of being scary or difficult to understand. Monique Wilson, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exposed 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed
Adjective
  • Active ETFs, which trade in real-time, are also more susceptible to market swings unlike mutual funds which price once a day, Nicholson added.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2025
  • The latest development raises concerns about whether dairy cows may be more susceptible to the bird flu, which would increase the risk of cow-to-human transmission.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Several reports indicate that the total of uncovered bombs now stands at 175 or more.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
  • But the implications are nationwide, as New Jersey librarian Martha Hickson discovered — or rather uncovered.
    Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Freezing temperatures may present health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as infants and older adults.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The song manages to be vulnerable and hilarious and also sort of meta.
    Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The identity of a third victim who was hospitalized has not been revealed.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
  • To play, just make your selection in the multiple-choice list and the correct answer will be revealed.
    J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • State of play: Immigration officials can raid churches and schools to arrest undocumented immigrants after the Trump administration scrapped a policy that protected sensitive spaces, Axios' April Rubin writes.
    Alex Golden, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The suit filed Tuesday is the second from a religious group to challenge the Trump administration's lifting of the sensitive locations policy.
    Sarah Ventre, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Making the postseason should be the bare minimum for MLS teams.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2025
  • By now, participants surely know their date in the opposite pod is, at bare minimum, cute.
    Kyle Stokes, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • That would have netted the Hornets an unprotected 2031 pick, a 2030 swap and Dalton Knecht for a talented but oft-injured center.
    The Athletic NBA Staff, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
  • With the trade being voided, rookie wing Dalton Knecht, veteran wing Cam Reddish and their 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick will return to the Lakers.
    Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But once the job became a reality, Williams discovered the job was unsustainable.
    Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2024
  • The picture, discovered by WMAR-2 reporter Elizabeth Worthington at Vito's Pizza in Baltimore City, depicts Mangione in holy robes with a golden halo, resembling depictions of Jesus Christ.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near exposed

Cite this Entry

“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

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