exploitation

noun

ex·​ploi·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsplȯi-ˈtā-shən 

: 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

New exploitation methods The researchers sampled 166 exploits and found that the agents had used at least 10 exploitation techniques that, to their knowledge, were previously undocumented. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026

One connection, works every time, needs no retries There are two other conditions necessary for successful exploitation. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026

The next task, in my view, is to investigate fully and, where legal claims remain available, pursue accountability for harms resulting from the data exploitation. — Emma L. Briant, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

On the money laundering front, the SNRA identifies the secondary art market as particularly exposed to criminal exploitation, with the threat level also assessed as moderate (level 2). — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from exploiter "to exploit entry 2" + -ation -ation

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for exploitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation