exposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "exposed" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you mean to describe a person or thing as having been made visible or vulnerable to scrutiny, danger, attack, etc. For example: "The roof was exposed to the elements, causing water to leak inside the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In many cases, it'll balance the bets it makes on both sides of the trade, so that it's exposed to no risk and it collects the certain profit from the spread.

The Economist

The Ebola crisis has brutally exposed the "age-old failures" of the humanitarian aid system with the World Health Organisation and governments repeating the mistakes of past public health emergencies, the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said.

The Guardian

Renewal of the expiring Patriot Act powers would come through the USA Freedom Act, a House-passed bill that extends their lifespan in exchange for killing the bulk US phone records surveillance exposed in 2013 by the Guardian, thanks to whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The Guardian

This week's events have exposed the unresolved divisions in the party, and the determination in conservative ranks not to abandon an issue they believe is central to their cause.

The Guardian

The women in question were vulnerable in the sense that they were exposed to the inherent risks of their occupation.

The Guardian

Mike Rogers of Michigan, who also chairs the intelligence committee, criticised a decision to add new software improvements to the website while it was still running, or "hot-swapping code", which he said exposed users to the potentially insecure updates.

The Guardian

Three members of the Pakistani cricket team were exposed in the British press for accepting bribes to bowl deliberate no-balls in the Lord's Test against England in August 2010.

The Guardian - Sport

The first-ever attempt by US record-keepers to estimate the number of uncounted "law enforcement homicides" exposed previous official tallies as capturing less than half of the real picture.

The Guardian

Warsi was poised to flounce, they groan, once her hopes of shaping UK policy were exposed as delusions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once just shorthand for a tour bundling transport and lodging, these days it carries dingier connotations: high-rise hotels, beaches crammed with blistering bodies, lurid cocktails slurped from exposed belly buttons.

The Guardian - Travel

If it does and they are exposed by his book, then I will be partly responsible for having asked them to trust Donovan in the first place.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In metaphorical contexts, "exposed" can effectively highlight vulnerability or revelation. Use it to add emphasis to a situation where something is made known or is at risk.

Common error

Avoid using "exposed" without specifying what the subject is exposed to. For example, instead of saying "The company was exposed", specify "The company was exposed to legal risks".

Linguistic Context

The term "exposed" primarily functions as an adjective, often describing a state of being vulnerable, revealed, or subjected to something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. Examples show it modifying nouns to indicate a lack of protection or the unveiling of hidden information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exposed" functions primarily as an adjective to describe vulnerability or revelation. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in English. It is commonly found in news and media contexts, with neutral formality suitable for various settings. The word carries a strong connotation of unveiling something previously hidden or highlighting a state of risk. To enhance clarity, it is best to specify what the subject is exposed to, avoiding vague applications. Related terms include "vulnerable" and "revealed", offering nuanced alternatives for expressing similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulnerable

Indicates a state of being susceptible to harm or attack, similar to being "exposed" to danger.

revealed

Implies something previously hidden has been made visible, akin to an issue being "exposed".

susceptible

Highlights a tendency to be affected by something, comparable to being "exposed" to an influence.

uncovered

Signifies the removal of a covering, revealing what was underneath, much like "exposed".

subjected to

Suggests being made to undergo something, similar to being "exposed" to a condition or experience.

laid bare

Emphasizes the act of making something evident and without concealment, paralleling the idea of being "exposed".

open to

Indicates accessibility or susceptibility, analogous to being "exposed" to possibilities or risks.

divulged

Highlights the act of making private or sensitive information known, similar to a secret being "exposed".

compromised

Suggests a weakening or endangering of something, akin to being "exposed" to a threat.

at risk

Indicates a state of potential harm or danger, much like being "exposed" to perilous circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "exposed" in a sentence?

You can use "exposed" to describe something made visible or vulnerable, as in "The wiring was "exposed" after the wall was damaged" or "The company was "exposed" to financial risks".

What are some synonyms for "exposed"?

Synonyms for "exposed" include "vulnerable", "revealed", and "susceptible", each carrying slightly different nuances depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "exposed to risk" or "at risk"?

Both "exposed to risk" and "at risk" are grammatically correct. However, "exposed to risk" emphasizes the process or condition of becoming vulnerable, while "at risk" focuses on the state of being in danger.

What does it mean when something is "exposed" in journalism?

In journalism, when a scandal or wrongdoing is "exposed", it means it has been "revealed" to the public, often after being hidden or kept secret.