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

One involves a former interior minister who went on trial Monday for allegedly spying on an ex-PP treasurer who had threatened to expose corruption.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

For nearly a decade, journalists have wrestled with a deceptively simple question: Does covering extremists expose them or empower them?

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Lerosey-Aubril spent more than 50 hours working under a microscope with a fine needle to expose its features.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

“We consider it unrealistic,” he said, adding it would take too long, and expose all ships that go through the strait to threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and ballistic missiles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

And that’s right, he realized; Buster Friendly is going to reveal his carefully documented sensational expose tonight.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick