exploitation

ex·ploi·ta·tion | \ ˌek-ˌsplȯi-ˈtā-shən

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Definition of exploitation

: an act or instance of exploiting exploitation of natural resources exploitation of immigrant laborers clever exploitation of the system

Examples of exploitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The lawsuit offers a peek into the world of agricultural laborers in Michigan, many of whom face hardships and exploitation, said immigrant advocates. — Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, "Immigrant workers at Michigan greenhouse allege: We were cheated and tricked into deportation," 5 July 2020 Immerwahr tracks American imperial ambitions, from Puerto Rico to the Philippines, and how the treatment and exploitation of overseas territories still influence U.S. foreign and military policy. — Rachel King, Fortune, "10 books on American history that actually reflect the United States," 4 July 2020 Their affections are a confusing and painful blend of proximity and dependence, generosity and exploitation, performance and spontaneous feeling. — Lidija Haas, The New Republic, "Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Ingenious Families," 2 July 2020 On March 5, Senator Lindsey Graham introduced the EARN IT Act, purportedly designed to curb online child exploitation. — Whitfield Diffie, Scientific American, "The Encryption Wars Are Back, but in Disguise," 30 June 2020 The law was enacted after decades of exploitation of Marshallese women who did not understand the finality of U.S. adoptions. — Jessica Boehm, The Arizona Republic, "Paul Petersen pleads guilty in federal court to smuggling women in adoption scheme," 24 June 2020 The vestiges of that exploitation remain today, Thomas said. — Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati.com, "This Ohio lawmaker wants to abolish slavery in the state's constitution - no exceptions," 19 June 2020 But there is little question that Santin’s death leaves a void in any efforts to curtail or end what Santin saw as one layer of the exploitation of children in Latin America. — Christian Red And Teri Thompson, USA TODAY, "In Latin America, big league clubs are exploiting prospects as young as 12, whistleblower told feds," 17 June 2020 But so far, the story of the song has not appeared to be one of exploitation. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Defund the Police Gets Its Anthem," 9 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exploitation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

8 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Exploitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploitation. Accessed 11 Jul. 2020.

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