exploit

²ex·ploit

verb \ik-ˈsplȯit, ˈek-ˌ\

Definition of EXPLOIT

transitive verb

1

: to make productive use of : utilize <exploiting your talents> <exploit your opponent's weakness>

2

: to make use of meanly or unfairly for one's own advantage <exploiting migrant farm workers>

— ex·ploit·abil·i·ty \ik-ˌsploi-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— ex·ploit·able \-ˈsplȯi-tə-bəl\ adjective

— ex·ploit·er noun

Examples of EXPLOIT

1. He has never fully exploited his talents.
2. Top athletes are able to exploit their opponents' weaknesses.
3. She said the tragedy had been exploited by the media.

First Known Use of EXPLOIT

1838

Related to EXPLOIT

Synonyms: abuse, capitalize (on), cash in (on), impose (on or upon), leverage, milk, pimp, play (on or upon), use, work, trade on, walk on

Related Words: jerk around, manipulate, mistreat; bleed, cheat, fleece, overcharge, skin, soak, stick; commercialize, commodify

Near Antonyms: ignore, neglect; misapply, misuse

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide