exfoliate vs spread out

exfoliate and spread out both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
exfoliate	No	No	Yes	No
spread out	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, spread out is a hypernym of exfoliate; that is, spread out is a word with a broader meaning than exfoliate:

Other hypernyms of exfoliate include open, spread, unfold.

exfoliate (verb)	spread out (verb)
grow by producing or unfolding leaves	set out or stretch in a line, succession, or series
cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters	spread out or open from a closed or folded state
remove the surface, in scales or laminae	move outward
spread by opening the leaves of	extend in one or more directions
come off in a very thin piece	move away from each other
	turn outward
	strew or distribute over an area