ENGLISH
REFERENCE

exposed

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɪkˈspoʊzd// UK //ɛkspˈəʊzd// ex·posed

v. to show something that was hidden or to leave something without protection from the weather or danger. You use this when you reveal a secret or uncover something.

v. to uncover or reveal something previously hidden; to leave something unprotected from environmental or external risks. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The sun exposed the bright colors of the painting.

CONTEXTUAL

The investigative journalist exposed the corruption within the local government after months of research.

COMPLEX

By removing the old wallpaper, the renovators exposed a series of original hand-painted murals that had been concealed for over a century.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; often used in the passive voice ('to be exposed to').

Pitfall

The children were exposed at the cold.The children were exposed to the cold.The verb requires the preposition 'to' when describing contact with an element or influence.

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