expose

¹ American  

[ik-spohz] / ɪkˈspoʊz /

verb (used with object)

exposed, exposing

1. to lay open to danger, attack, harm, etc..

   to expose soldiers to gunfire;

   to expose one's character to attack.

   Synonyms:

   jeopardize, imperil, endanger, subject

2. to lay open to something specified.

   to expose oneself to the influence of bad companions.

   Antonyms:

   shield, protect

3. to uncover or bare to the air, cold, etc..

   to expose one's head to the rain.

4. to present to view; exhibit; display.

   The storekeeper exposed his wares.

5. to make known, disclose, or reveal (intentions, secrets, etc.).

   Synonyms:

   betray, unveil, uncover

   Antonyms:

   hide, conceal

6. to reveal or unmask (a crime, fraud, impostor, etc.).

   to expose a swindler.

7. to hold up to public reprehension or ridicule (fault, folly, a foolish act or person, etc.).

8. to desert in an unsheltered or open place; abandon, as a child.

9. to subject, as to the action of something.

   to expose a photographic plate to light.

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idioms

1. expose oneself, to exhibit one's body, especially one's genitals, publicly in an immodest or exhibitionistic manner.

exposé ² American  

[ek-spoh-zey] / ˌɛk spoʊˈzeɪ /

noun

1. a public exposure or revelation, as of something discreditable.

   Certain cheap magazines make a fortune out of sensational exposés.

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expose ¹ British  

/ ɪkˈspəʊz /

verb

1. to display for viewing; exhibit

2. to bring to public notice; disclose; reveal

   to expose the facts

3. to divulge the identity of; unmask

4. (foll by to) to make subject or susceptible (to attack, criticism, etc)

5. to abandon (a child, animal, etc) in the open to die

6. (foll by to) to introduce (to) or acquaint (with)

   he was exposed to the classics at an early age

7. photog to subject (a photographic film or plate) to light, X-rays, or some other type of actinic radiation

8. RC Church to exhibit (the consecrated Eucharistic Host or a relic) for public veneration

9. to display one's sexual organs in public

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exposé ² British  

/ ɛksˈpəʊzeɪ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of bringing a scandal, crime, etc, to public notice

2. an article, book, or statement that discloses a scandal, crime, etc

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Other Word Forms

• exposability noun
• exposable adjective
• exposal noun
• exposer noun
• self-exposing adjective
• unexposable adjective

Etymology

Origin of expose¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English exposen, from Old French exposer, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + poser “to put” ( pose ¹ ), replacing Latin expōnere “to put out, expose, set forth in words”; expound

Origin of exposé²

First recorded in 1795–1805; from French, noun use of past participle of exposer expose

Example Sentences

They were the first generation of Iranians to grow up with widespread access to the internet, exposing them to the outside world like never before.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you think you may have been exposed, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible for advice and next steps.

From Los Angeles Times

Viewers being exposed to and captivated by Seyfried’s sincerely spectacular work are receiving a gift, perhaps without even realizing it.

From Salon

While there is support for a legal ban from many parents and teachers, lots are still concerned about what children are exposed to outside of school.

From BBC

Liquidity-sensitive holders — those exposed through futures, options or highly traded vehicles — are governed by volatility and risk controls, not conviction.

From MarketWatch