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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The appeal lies in watching urban Stockholm gradually give way to holiday homes, wooded islands and finally the more exposed landscape of the outer archipelago. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 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

Verb

The natural terrain, coastal winds and exposed landscape create a distinctly links-like experience unlike anything else in Portugal. — Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The goats were most likely exposed to rabies by a skunk that had entered their pen in late July, according to the state health department, which was first notified of the rabies exposure on Thursday. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exposed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exposed

Adjective

Their protection schemes might expect edge rushers, but both Van Ginkel and Turner could drift backward, making the interior more susceptible.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Therapists, being human, are susceptible to biases and errors during demanding sessions, which can occur before, during, or after client interactions.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

But Texas is one of 10 states that chose not to expand Medicaid after the ACA became law, so many of the poorest Texans remain uncovered.

— Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026
There, too, cafés have been pressured to refuse to serve uncovered women, a young woman who recently traveled there told me.

— Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of uncovered

Adjective

The song is written as a conversation with that mythic other woman, who Parton confronts here in a way that manages to come across as both extremely vulnerable and drawing on a huge reserve of strength.

— Ed Masley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
For someone vulnerable to an eating disorder, [pressure] from social media, celebrity images, or the growing visibility of GLP-1 medications can reinforce restriction and the belief that their body is somehow not small enough.

— Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Verb

Then there is the summer of life, where the fruits of it all are being revealed.

— Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
When it was revealed that the band Geese used a digital marketing firm that deployed thousands of social media accounts to boost their music in users’ feeds, critics called the band a psyop.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of revealed

Verb

This image taken on August 25, 2026 shows an Icelandic flag displayed along a street in central Reykjavik, Iceland, ahead of the country's upcoming referendum.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
To drive home their appeal for funds from Washington, the lawmakers displayed a board that showed the amount of money sent by the federal government to support previous games.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of displayed

Verb

During the 1980s, Kusama exhibited regularly at venues including Fuji Television Gallery.

— Tessa Solomon for ARTnews, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Kusama, one of Japan’s most respected contemporary artists, was widely exhibited around the world, including at the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhibited

Adjective

Those could include remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and other equipment that requires persistent, low-visibility power in remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments, as well as power resiliency for forward military bases.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Musk’s officials infiltrated department after department, canceling contracts, firing employees, viewing sensitive data, and kneecapping programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as foreign aid.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sensitive

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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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exposed

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verb

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