exposed
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Not covered or protected; left or made visible or vulnerable: Describes something that is not shielded, concealed, or clothed, and is therefore open to view, the elements, or danger. 2. Open to the weather or to a specific environmental condition: Describes something that is unsheltered and subject to the direct impact of weather, such as wind or rain. 3. Made susceptible to a risk, condition, or experience: Describes a state of being laid open to something, often something harmful or undesirable.
Usage and Examples
- Describing a lack of physical covering or protection:
- The exposed brick wall gave the room an industrial feel.
- The wiring was dangerously exposed and needed immediate repair.
- Describing vulnerability to weather or elements:
- The campsite was on an exposed hillside, battered by the wind.
- They walked along the exposed cliff path.
- Describing a state of being subject to risk or view:
- The scandal left the politician's private life exposed.
- Without the vaccine, the population was exposed to the disease.
Advanced Usage
- "to feel exposed": to feel vulnerable, unprotected, or emotionally naked.
- Speaking about her failures, she felt completely exposed.
- "exposed to": subjected to or in contact with (often something influential or harmful).
- Children exposed to multiple languages often learn them quickly.
- Workers were exposed to high levels of radiation.
Variants and Related Words
- Expose (verb): To make something visible or vulnerable by uncovering it; to reveal.
- The investigation exposed corruption within the company.
- Exposure (noun): The state of being exposed; the revelation of something secret; the action of exposing a photographic film to light.
- Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause skin damage.
- The newspaper's exposure of the fraud led to arrests.
Synonyms
- Uncovered: Having no covering.
- Unprotected: Not protected or kept safe.
- Vulnerable: Susceptible to physical or emotional harm.
- Open: Not closed or blocked up; accessible.
- Bare: Not clothed or covered.
Antonyms
- Covered: Overlain with or enclosed within something.
- Protected: Kept safe from harm or injury.
- Sheltered: Protected from bad weather or danger.
- Concealed: Kept secret; hidden.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Leave oneself exposed": To put oneself in a vulnerable position, often strategically.
- By attacking so early, the general left his flank exposed.
- "Exposed nerve": Literally, a nerve that is not covered by tissue; figuratively, a source of acute sensitivity or pain.
- That topic is like an exposed nerve for him—don't bring it up.
Adjective
- not covered with clothing
- her exposed breast
- with no protection or shield
- the exposed northeast frontier
- open to the weather
- an open wound