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

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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 Some of the industry's fastest-growing markets are also the most exposed, the study found. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 18 June 2026

Verb

This design moves those contacts to the back, leaving more surface area exposed to sunlight. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Early on, Heilmann was exposed to the free speech movement, the Beat Generation, and surf culture, all of which made a strong impression on the young artist. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed

Adjective

The two phantoms were designed to be adult females, since previous research found that breasts and ovaries are especially susceptible to radiation damage.

— Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Without claim-level review capabilities, employers remain susceptible to inaccurate reimbursements regardless of efficiencies achieved through administrative processes.

— Bruce Roffe, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

And while global child mortality data for 2025 won’t be available for several months, health officials are already bracing for a surge in deaths among the world’s youngest and most vulnerable.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
District leaders warned that the move could leave CPS vulnerable to midyear cuts if the money doesn’t materialize.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Verb

The possibility of marital trouble is one of several details revealed in a search warrant related to the domestic violence murders carried out in two cities on Wednesday morning.

— Conor Wight, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
The partnership with the retail trading provider was revealed on July 3, with a one-year deal announced.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of revealed

Verb

According to charging documents, the teens were allegedly plotting to rob Wright and displayed guns during a video call.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
The note briefly displayed in court Thursday offered jurors in Clancy’s triple-murder trial perhaps their best glimpse yet at the Massachusetts mother’s apparent perspective on her own struggle with mental health leading up to the killings.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of displayed

Verb

Tufts said throughout her testimony that Clancy never exhibited any signs of psychosis or mania during her treatment.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
In the past, Cerio’s work has been exhibited at the MAXXI Museum in Rome as part of an installation curated by artist Alex Da Corte.

— News Desk, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhibited

Adjective

Instead of feet of snow covering the landscape, mountaintops remained bare.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
The opposite coast felt like the bare minimum required to outrun what happened to me — the accident that almost killed me; the way everyone in Irvine looked at me after, like I was made of glass and might shatter without warning.

— Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of bare

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expose

exposed

exposer

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“Exposed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exposed. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of exposed

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verb

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