Outed

To 'out' someone is to reveal their sexual orientation, gender identity, or other personal information, often without their consent. It can also be used to reveal details about someone's private life, past actions, or secrets that they have actively kept hidden. The act can have significant social, personal, and professional repercussions for the individual, sometimes leading to discrimination, harassment, or even violence. Historically, and in some contemporary contexts, being 'outed' has carried devastating consequences. The term emphasizes the involuntary disclosure, often focusing on secrets that the individual wished to remain private, therefore making them exposed.

Outed meaning with examples

• The whistleblower was unexpectedly outed by a rival newspaper, revealing their identity before they were ready to come forward. The sudden revelation caused significant stress and threats against their safety, potentially jeopardizing the legal case they were assisting in.
• During the investigation, a coworker was unintentionally outed due to an email chain that circulated. This disclosure created uncomfortable tension within the workplace, prompting complaints about the ethical handling of private information and potential legal battles.
• After years of maintaining his privacy, the actor was outed by a tabloid which published a photograph. The subsequent media attention was overwhelming, but the actor still felt that his choices were taken from him.
• The government official was outed in a speech that was leaked to a biased online presence. The official then publicly acknowledged their identity. The situation sparked outrage among supporters and detractors who debated the ethics of releasing such information publicly.
• The family was outed by their neighbors who were gossiping to the local press about a major change in the dynamics of the family. The family then decided to move from the community.