Synonyms of exposed

exposed 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspōzd 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• susceptible
• vulnerable
• sensitive
• prone
• liable
• subject (to)
• in jeopardy
• open
• endangered
• likely
• unprotected
• at risk
• uncovered
• in deep water
• unsecured
• unguarded
• unscreened
• undefended

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unexposed
• invulnerable
• covered
• protected
• sheltered
• shielded
• secured
• screened
• guarded
• unsusceptible
• insusceptible
• safeguarded
• warded

2

as in uncovered

lacking a usual or natural covering

the exposed electrical wires were a safety hazard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uncovered
• bare
• open
• peeled
• stripped
• naked
• bald
• displayed
• revealed
• denuded
• unprotected
• skinned
• unclothed
• undressed
• shaven
• hairless
• disrobed
• divested
• unclad
• furless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• covered
• mantled
• overgrown
• overrun
• bearded
• hairy
• overspread

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vulnerable
• susceptible
• unprotected
• helpless
• defenseless
• undefended
• unguarded
• uncovered
• overcome
• unsafe
• in the lurch
• unresistant
• unarmed
• passive
• untenable
• weak
• indefensible
• feeble
• abandoned
• disarmed
• preyed (on or upon)
• high and dry
• resistless
• marooned
• frail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resistant
• protected
• covered
• sheltered
• safe
• secure
• armed
• shielded
• screened
• fortified
• invulnerable
• guarded
• defensible
• immune
• armored
• strong
• impenetrable
• invincible
• impregnable
• omnipotent
• unassailable
• unconquerable
• unbeatable
• almighty

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uncovered
• disclosed
• unmasked
• demolished
• undressed
• discredited
• debunked
• told
• showed up
• nailed
• blew the whistle on
• uncloaked
• unveiled
• disproved
• divulged

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguised
• masked
• concealed
• hid
• camouflaged
• secreted
• veiled
• cloaked

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• revealed
• discovered
• disclosed
• uncovered
• told
• shared
• announced
• spilled
• divulged
• bared
• unmasked
• brought to light
• spilt
• unveiled
• unbosomed
• went public (with)
• let on (about)
• confided
• published
• uncloaked
• spilled the beans (about)
• proclaimed
• informed
• let the cat out of the bag (about)
• broadcasted
• declared
• promulgated
• advertised
• unclothed
• betrayed
• acknowledged
• unearthed
• brought out
• related
• confessed
• publicized
• imparted
• debunked
• leaked
• posted
• admitted
• owned
• communicated
• showed up
• broadcast
• placarded
• blazed
• blabbed
• talked
• conceded
• sounded
• undraped
• gave away
• disinterred
• raked up
• smoked out
• squealed
• avowed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concealed
• covered (up)
• hid
• masked
• veiled
• shrouded
• cloaked
• disguised
• camouflaged
• enshrouded
• whitewashed
• varnished
• obscured
• shaded
• gilded
• overshadowed
• eclipsed
• glossed (over)
• darkened
• gilt
• clouded
• overcast
• beclouded
• bedimmed
• befogged

3

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

• revealed
• displayed
• showed
• demonstrated
• betrayed
• manifested
• communicated
• declared
• evinced
• disclosed
• uncovered
• gave away
• sounded
• announced
• bared
• proclaimed
• advertised
• aired
• publicized
• bespoke
• broadcasted
• projected
• broadcast
• unbosomed
• blazed
• uncloaked
• trumpeted
• placarded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misrepresented
• distorted
• twisted
• belied
• disguised
• falsified
• camouflaged
• concealed
• covered
• hid
• obscured
• whitewashed
• masked
• veiled
• garbled
• occluded
• varnished
• gilded
• glossed (over)
• gilt
• counterfeited

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• displayed
• exhibited
• showed
• flashed
• unveiled
• produced
• announced
• paraded
• waved
• flaunted
• strutted
• revealed
• laid out
• showed off
• sported
• discovered
• advertised
• proclaimed
• flourished
• broadcasted
• uncovered
• aired
• disported
• publicized
• divulged
• posted
• told (of)
• brandished
• broadcast
• trumpeted
• heralded
• bared
• placarded
• unmasked
• blazed
• sounded
• talked (about)
• uncloaked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disguised
• masked
• camouflaged
• covered
• concealed
• hid
• obscured
• veiled
• shrouded
• occluded
• enshrouded
• curtained
• occulted

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

Recent Examples of exposed

Adjective

By placing the host in an exposed, elevated position, the fungus maximizes its chances of dispersing spores effectively. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Our cities now sit exposed, taking direct hits from stronger hurricanes with increasing frequency. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

Verb

The company was dealt a major blow by a five-month data breach in 2023 that exposed the personal data of almost seven million customers. —William Gavin, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2025

Last year, 23andMe agreed to pay $30 million in cash to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of failing to protect customers whose personal information was exposed in this breach. —Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025