expose

[ ik-spohz ]

/ ɪkˈspoʊz /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expose ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ex·posed, ex·pos·ing.

to lay open to danger, attack, harm, etc.: to expose soldiers to gunfire; to expose one's character to attack.

to lay open to something specified: to expose oneself to the influence of bad companions.

to uncover or bare to the air, cold, etc.: to expose one's head to the rain.

to present to view; exhibit; display: The storekeeper exposed his wares.

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

to reveal or unmask (a crime, fraud, impostor, etc.): to expose a swindler.

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

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

to subject, as to the action of something: to expose a photographic plate to light.

Nearby words

Idioms

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

Origin of expose

1425–75; late Middle English exposen < Old French exposer, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + poser to put (see pose¹), rendering Latin expōnere to put out, expose, set forth in words; see expound

SYNONYMS FOR expose

1 subject, endanger, imperil, jeopardize.

5 uncover, unveil, betray.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expose ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR expose

2 protect, shield.

5 conceal, hide, cover up.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR expose ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

ex·pos·a·ble, adjectiveex·pos·a·bil·i·ty, nounex·pos·er, nounself-ex·pos·ing, adjective

un·ex·pos·a·ble, adjective

Can be confusedexpose exposé

Definition for expose (2 of 2)

exposé

[ ek-spoh-zey ]

/ ˌɛk spoʊˈzeɪ /

noun

a public exposure or revelation, as of something discreditable: Certain cheap magazines make a fortune out of sensational exposés.

Origin of exposé

1795–1805; < French, noun use of past participle of exposer to expose

Can be confusedexpose exposé

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expose

Shirtless bros with pillowy lips and cargo pants pulled down to expose tufts of pubic hair.
Abercrombie & Ditch: The Fall of the House of Tween|Lizzie Crocker|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When MTV first started airing The Real World, it was meant to expose the brutal truth about human nature.
MTV’s Diem Brown Dies: When Reality TV Starts Getting Real|Kevin Fallon|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Drones need be matched with deeds that expose the false precepts of Al Qaeda's narrative.
Why’s Al Qaeda So Strong? Washington Has (Literally) No idea|Bruce Riedel|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He praised Snowden for having the “balls” to expose the crimes of the NSA.
The Bolshevik Who Thinks ‘The Nation’ Is Too Left Wing|Eli Lake|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In response to the protest action, and an expose in Buzzfeed, Blue Coat issued a statement disclaiming responsibility.
Egypt’s LGBTs Fight Grindr Crackdown|Jay Michaelson|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I have determined to expose you, you coward; you mean, mean girl!
A World of Girls|L. T. Meade
The sharp-shooters swept all the ground about us, making it dangerous for any man to expose himself an instant.
From the Rapidan to Richmond and the Spottsylvania Campaign|William Meade Dame
Expose again to sunlight, filter, and bath is ready for use.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
In the beginning, the Cross did not expose the Christians to suspicion, for it was known to many religions of antiquity.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine - Volume 62, No. 384, October 1847|Various
Do you know who is the man for whom you wish to expose your life?
Wood Rangers|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for expose (1 of 2)

expose

/ (ɪkˈspəʊz) /

verb (tr)

to display for viewing; exhibit

to bring to public notice; disclose; revealto expose the facts

to divulge the identity of; unmask

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

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

(foll by to) to introduce (to) or acquaint (with)he was exposed to the classics at an early age

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

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

expose oneself to display one's sexual organs in public

Derived Formsexposable, adjectiveexposal, nounexposer, noun

Word Origin for expose

C15: from Old French exposer, from Latin expōnere to set out; see exponent

British Dictionary definitions for expose (2 of 2)

exposé

/ (ɛksˈpəʊzeɪ) /

noun

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

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for expose (1 of 2)

expose

early 15c., "to leave without shelter or defense," from Middle French exposer "lay open, set forth" (13c.), from Latin exponere "set forth" (see expound), altered by confusion with poser "to place, lay down" (see pose (v.1)). Meaning "to exhibit openly" is from 1620s; that of "to unmask" is from 1690s. Photographic sense is from 1839. Related: Exposed; exposes; exposing.

Word Origin and History for expose (1 of 2)

expose

also exposé, "display of discreditable information," 1803, initially as a French word; past participle of French exposer (see expose (v.)). Earliest use was in reference to Napoleon.

expose

verb (used with object), ex·posed, ex·pos·ing.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of expose

Definition for expose (2 of 2)

exposé

noun

Origin of exposé

Examples from the Web for expose

British Dictionary definitions for expose (1 of 2)

expose

verb (tr)

Word Origin for expose

British Dictionary definitions for expose (2 of 2)

exposé

noun

Word Origin and History for expose (1 of 2)

expose

Word Origin and History for expose (1 of 2)

expose