An exposé is a film or piece of writing which reveals the truth about a situation or person, especially something involving shocking facts.
The movie is an exposé of prison conditions in the South. [+ of]
Synonyms: exposure, revelation, uncovering, disclosure More Synonyms of expose
expose
(ɪkspoʊz)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense exposes, present participle exposing, past tense, past participle exposed
1. verb
To expose something that is usually hidden means to uncover it so that it can be seen.
Lowered sea levels exposed the shallow continental shelf beneath the Bering Sea. [VERB noun]
For an instant his whole back was exposed. [VERB noun]
...the exposed brickwork. [VERB-ed]
2. verb
To expose a person or situation means to reveal that they are bad or immoral in some way.
The Budget does expose the lies ministers were telling a year ago. [VERB noun]
After the scandal was exposed, Dr Bailey committed suicide. [VERB noun]
He has simply been exposed as an adulterer and a fool. [beVERB-ed + as]
[Also VERB noun + as]
Synonyms: reveal, disclose, uncover, air More Synonyms of expose
3. verb
If someone is exposed to something dangerous or unpleasant, they are put in a situation in which it might affect them.
They had not been exposed to most diseases common to urban populations. [beVERB-ed + to]
A wise mother never exposes her children to the slightest possibility of danger. [VERB noun + to]
...people exposed to high levels of radiation. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: make vulnerable, subject, leave open, lay open More Synonyms of expose
4. verb
If someone is exposed to an idea or feeling, usually a new one, they are given experience of it, or introduced to it.
...local people who've not been exposed to glimpses of Western life before. [beVERB-ed + to]
These units exposed children to many viewpoints of a given issue. [VERB noun + to]
5. verb
A man who exposeshimself shows people his genitals in a public place.
Smith admitted indecently exposing himself on Wimbledon Common. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
More Synonyms of expose
expose in British English
(ɪkˈspəʊz)
verb(transitive)
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)
she was exposed to the classics at an early age
7. photography
to subject (a photographic film or plate) to light, X-rays, or some other type of actinic radiation
8. Roman Catholic Church
to exhibit (the consecrated Eucharistic Host or a relic) for public veneration
9. expose oneself
Derived forms
exposable (exˈposable)
adjective
exposal (exˈposal)
noun
exposer (exˈposer)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Old French exposer, from Latin expōnere to set out; see exponent
exposé in British English
(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
expose in American English
(ɛkˈspoʊz; ɪkˈspoʊz)
verb transitiveWord forms: exˈposed or exˈposing
1.
a.
to lay open (to danger, attack, ridicule, etc.); leave unprotected
b.
to make accessible or subject (to an influence or action)
2.
to put or leave out in an unprotected place; abandon
some ancient peoples exposed unwanted infants
3.
to allow to be seen; disclose; reveal; exhibit; display
4.
a.
to make (a crime, fraud, etc.) known; unmask
b.
to make known the crimes, etc. of
5. Photography
to subject (a sensitized film or plate) to radiation having a photochemical effect
SIMILAR WORDS: show
Derived forms
exposer (exˈposer)
noun
Word origin
ME exposen < OFr exposer < L expositus, pp. of exponere (see expound) but infl. by OFr poser: see pose1
exposé in American English
(ˌɛkspoʊˈzeɪ; ˈɛkspoʊˌzeɪ)
noun
a public disclosure of a scandal, crime, etc.
Word origin
Fr < pp. of exposer: see expose
Examples of 'expose' in a sentence
expose
He was young with dark curling hair, the sleeves of his check shirt rolled back to expose muscular arms.
Jack Higgins THE KEYS OF HELL (2002)
Now, she was more ambivalent, not sure she wanted to expose herself to that dangerous, charismatic man.
Fraser, Anthea THE GOSPEL MAKERS (2002)
When Myra first told Karp she'd expose his past, he blew up.
Telushkin, Josef THE UNORTHODOX MURDER OF RABBI MOSS (2002)
Instead, he pressed his fingers to his lips to contain the words that would expose his longing.
Louise Erdrich THE LAST REPORT ON THE MIRACLES AT LITTLE NO HORSE: A NOVEL (2002)
This is called an exposé of publishing hype.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It was probably the most shocking exposé of systemic doping in athletics' history.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Anybody who disputes this need only ask: why do sponsors run away just as soon as the tabloids publish their first exposé?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Our front page exposé made TV and radio headlines all day.
The Sun (2014)
I did not sign up for an exposé on my life but you can't take things too seriously.
The Sun (2011)
Depending on your view, this was either an affirmation of what was apparent or a shocking exposé of the financial constraints under which he is working.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
exposé
British English: expose VERB
To expose something that is usually hidden means to uncover it so that it can be seen.
Lowered sea levels exposed the shallow continental shelf beneath the sea.
American English: expose
Brazilian Portuguese: expor
Chinese: 使显露
European Spanish: exponer
French: exposer
German: freilegen
Italian: rivelare
Japanese: 露出する
Korean: 드러내어 보이다
European Portuguese: expor
Latin American Spanish: exponer
Definition of 'exposé'
Chinese translation of 'expose'
expose
(ɪksˈpəuz)
vt
(= reveal)
[object]显(顯)露 (xiǎnlù)
[impostor, scandal]揭穿 (jiēchuān)
to expose sb to sth (radiation, virus etc) 使某人接触(觸)某物 (shǐ mǒurén jiēchù mǒuwù)
to expose o.s. (Law) 性暴露 (xìng bàolù)
1 (verb)
Definition
to uncover (something previously covered)
He pulled up his T-shirt, exposing his white belly.
Synonyms
uncover
When the seedlings sprout, uncover the tray.
show
She had enough time to show her gratitude.
reveal
A grey carpet was removed to reveal the pine floor.
display
The cabinets display seventeenth-century porcelain.
exhibit
Her work was exhibited in the best galleries in Europe.
present
presenting a new product or service to the market-place
unveil
Mr Werner unveiled his new strategy this week.
manifest
He's only convincing when that inner fury manifests itself.
lay bare
take the wraps off
put on view
Opposites
cover
,
protect
,
screen
,
hide
,
shelter
,
mask
,
shield
,
conceal
2 (verb)
Definition
to reveal the truth about (someone or something), esp. when it is shocking or scandalous
After the scandal was exposed, he moved abroad.
Synonyms
reveal
She has refused to reveal her daughter's whereabouts.
disclose
clapboard façades that revolve to disclose snug interiors
uncover
Auditors said they had uncovered evidence of fraud.
air
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
detect
equipment used to detect radiation
betray
She studied his face, but it betrayed nothing.
show up
denounce
Informers might at any moment denounce them to the authorities.
unearth
No evidence has yet been unearthed.
let out
divulge
He was charged with divulging state secrets.
unmask
Elliott unmasked the master spy and traitor.
lay bare
make known
bring to light
out (informal)
She was outed as a spy.
smoke out
blow wide open (slang)
Opposites
cover
,
hide
,
conceal
,
keep secret
3 (verb)
Definition
to leave (a person or thing) unprotected in a potentially harmful situation
people exposed to high levels of radiation
Synonyms
make vulnerable
subject
The police subjected her to some tough questioning.
leave open
lay open
Phrasal verbs
See expose someone to something
See expose yourself
(noun)
The movie is an exposé of prison conditions in the South.
Synonyms
exposure
the exposure of Anthony Blunt as a former Soviet spy
revelation
revelations about his private life
uncovering
disclosure
The disclosure of her latest endeavour was badly-timed.
divulgence
Additional synonyms
in the sense of air
Definition
to expose to air to dry or ventilate
The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
Synonyms
publicize,
tell,
reveal,
exhibit,
communicate,
voice,
express,
display,
declare,
expose,
disclose,
proclaim,
utter,
circulate,
make public,
divulge,
disseminate,
ventilate,
make known,
give vent to,
take the wraps off
in the sense of betray
Definition
to disclose (a secret or confidence) treacherously
She studied his face, but it betrayed nothing.
Synonyms
give away,
tell,
show,
reveal,
expose,
disclose,
uncover,
manifest,
divulge,
blurt out,
unmask,
lay bare,
tell on,
let slip,
evince (formal)
in the sense of denounce
Definition
to give information against
Informers might at any moment denounce them to the authorities.