exploitation

noun

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

How to pronounce exploitation (audio)

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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

However, some experts say the threat of immigration raids often makes exploitation more likely because unauthorized workers are reluctant to report workplace abuses. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Will immigration enforcement still go light on employers?," 16 Aug. 2019 While there is currently no evidence that the raid was connected, the history of exploitation here has made the raids feel especially cruel. — Adrian Carrasquillo, The New Republic, "ICE’s Raids Were a Win for Corporate Exploitation," 12 Aug. 2019 Today brings yet another devastating report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, this time cataloging how humanity’s exploitation of land is contributing to climate change. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "New IPCC Report Shows How Our Abuse of Land Drives Climate Change," 8 Aug. 2019 The government, which is expected to appeal the decision, has said that the rule intends to prevent exploitation of the asylum system by those who unlawfully immigrate to the United States. — Miriam Jordan, New York Times, "Trump’s Latest Attempt to Bar Asylum Seekers Is Blocked After a Day of Dueling Rulings," 24 July 2019 The story raised concerns about issues of exploitation and propaganda and was the source of a spat between Brazilian and U.S. media outlets. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Essential Arts: How do you want to meet the L.A. River’s edge? Three intriguing park plans," 20 July 2019 The entanglement of violence and sexuality, care and exploitation continues to define the meaning of being black and female. — Longreads, "A Minor Figure," 20 July 2019 But Nicholas just does not pay that much attention to the ways that VCs’ hunt for outsized returns may have encouraged broader exploitation over the centuries. — Avi Asher-schapiro, The New Republic, "The Very Small World of VC," 18 July 2019 But the full implications of that exploitation are rarely appreciated. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "The Selfish Actors of Illegal Immigration," 16 July 2019

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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20 Aug 2019

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The first known use of exploitation was in 1795

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