Expose — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ik-ˈspōz/ (verb) /ˌek-spō-ˈzā/ (noun) ex·pose

Meaning & Definition of Expose

Expose (verb)

  1. to deprive of shelter, protection, or care, subject to risk from a harmful action or condition
  2. to submit or make accessible to a particular action or influence; especially, to subject (a sensitive photographic film, plate, or paper) to radiant energy
  3. to abandon (an infant) especially by leaving in the open

Expose (noun)

  1. a formal statement of facts
  2. an exposure of something discreditable

Expose (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to reveal the true nature of

    "a well-researched article that exposes the UFO story as a hoax"

    similar: debunk, nail, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmask, blow the whistle on
    related: demolish, discredit, disprove, disclose, divulge, tell, unveil
    opposite: camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask
    near: conceal, hide, secrete, veil

  2. to make known (as information previously kept secret)

    "the documentary claims to expose how winners of beauty pageants are really picked"

    similar: bare, disclose, discover, divulge, let on (about), reveal, spill, tell, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, unmask, unveil, bring to light, go public (with), let the cat out of the bag (about), spill the beans (about)
    related: confide, share, debunk, show up, unclothe, undrape, advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, declare, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound, betray, blab, give away, leak, inform, squeal, talk, communicate, impart, relate, acknowledge, admit, avow, concede, confess, own, disinter, rake up, smoke out, unearth
    opposite: cloak, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, mask, shroud, veil
    near: camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade

  3. to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

    "the tight race for the championship exposed one team's mean streak"

    similar: bespeak, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, give away, manifest, reveal, show
    related: bare, disclose, unbosom, uncloak, uncover, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, placard, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, project
    near: belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, camouflage, disguise, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, conceal, counterfeit, cover, hide, mask, obscure, occlude, veil

  4. 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"

    similar: display, disport, exhibit, flash, flaunt, lay out, parade, produce, show, show off, sport, strut, unveil
    related: brandish, flourish, wave, advertise, air, announce, blaze, broadcast, herald, placard, post, proclaim, publicize, sound, trumpet, divulge, talk (about), tell (of), bare, discover, reveal, uncloak, uncover, unmask
    near: camouflage, disguise, mask, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, obscure, occlude, occult, shroud, veil

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Expose

The most common words with a similar meaning to Expose:

debunk, nail, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmask, bare, disclose, discover, divulge, let on (about), reveal, spill, tell, unbosom, unveil, bespeak, betray, communicate, declare, demonstrate, display, evince, give away, manifest, show, disport, exhibit, flash, flaunt, lay out, parade, produce, show off, sport, strut, blow the whistle on, bring to light, go public (with)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Expose

Words with the opposite meaning of Expose:

camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask, conceal, cover (up), enshroud, hide, shroud, veil

Related Words for Expose

demolish, discredit, disprove, confide, share, unclothe, undrape, advertise, announce, blaze, bring out, broadcast, placard, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish, sound, blab, leak, inform, squeal, talk, impart, relate, acknowledge, admit, avow, concede

Near Antonyms of Expose

secrete, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash, becloud, bedim, befog, cloud, darken, eclipse, obscure, overcast, overshadow, shade, belie, misrepresent, distort, falsify, garble, twist, counterfeit, cover, occlude, curtain, occult

Word Forms of Expose

Inflections: exposed, exposing

Derived words: exposer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Expose

Middle English, from Anglo-French exposer, from Latin exponere to set forth, explain (perfect indicative exposui), from ex- + ponere to put, place position

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Expose

Words & Phrases Containing Expose

expose oneself, reexpose

Frequently Asked Questions about Expose

What does "Expose" mean?

"Expose" means to deprive of shelter, protection, or care, subject to risk from a harmful action or condition. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to deprive of shelter, protection, or care, subject to risk from a harmful action or condition. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Expose"?

Other words for "Expose" include debunk, nail, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmask and bare. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Expose" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Expose"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Expose". Common alternatives include debunk, nail, show up, uncloak, uncover, undress, unmask, bare, disclose and discover.

What is the opposite of "Expose"?

Antonyms of "Expose" include camouflage, cloak, disguise, mask, conceal, cover (up), enshroud and hide. Near antonyms include secrete, gild, gloss (over) and varnish.

How do you use "Expose" in a sentence?

Examples of "Expose" in a sentence: "a well-researched article that exposes the UFO story as a hoax"; "the documentary claims to expose how winners of beauty pageants are really picked"; "the tight race for the championship exposed one team's mean streak".

Is "Expose" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Expose" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Expose" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Expose" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Expose"?

"Expose" is pronounced /ik-ˈspōz/ as a verb and /ˌek-spō-ˈzā/ as a noun and divided into syllables as ex·pose.