exploitative

adjective

ex·​ploit·​ative ik-ˈsplȯi-tə-tiv How to pronounce exploitative (audio) ˈek-ˌsplȯi- How to pronounce exploitative (audio)
: exploiting or tending to exploit
especially : unfairly or cynically using another person or group for profit or advantage
exploitative terms of employment
an exploitative film
exploitatively adverb

Examples of exploitative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The twins have a symbiotic relationship (building the same clinic, pursuing the same women), and their dependency challenges the distinctions between an empowering procedure and an exploitative one, an altruistic motive and a cash grab, a good twin and a bad twin. Amanda Hess, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 There is no doubt that African countries have battled for decades, first to rid themselves of the legacy of colonialism and then to fight new battles against neo-colonialism in the guise of asymmetric economic warfare, exploitative extractive trade, and emasculating aid in return. Ivor Ichikowitz, Fortune, 26 Jan. 2024 This is a film about performance too, and how exploitative playing the role of a real-life person can be. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 2 Dec. 2023 In a media landscape where true crime shows are often exploitative, Mindhunter stands out for its cerebral and focused atmosphere, curious nature, and historical significance. Robert English, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2023 Abusing the privilege, however, is irksome and can be exploitative, if the samples become the equivalent of a full glass. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2023 Those who attended shed light on the scale of this transformation, emphasizing the need to integrate justice and post-colonial perspectives to avoid perpetuating existing exploitative practices and systemic injustices in the renewable energy transition. Monica Sanders, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 Alejandro hits the walls of bureaucracy, encounters insensitive and exploitative employers and becomes a victim of the housing crisis — but all in a very funny way. Carole Horst, Variety, 18 Jan. 2024 These seven friend types are benign, but some imply exploitative connections. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exploitative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

exploit entry 2 + -ative

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exploitative was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near exploitative

Cite this Entry

“Exploitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploitative. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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