exploitative

adjective

ex·​ploit·​ative ik-ˈsplȯi-tə-tiv  ˈek-ˌsplȯi- 

: 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 plan calls for reining in exploitative uses of AI currently being deployed in the workplace, including social scoring, surveillance designed to undermine organizing and systemic bias. — Matt Post, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026

The show not only plays Manchester’s death for laughs but also depicts her as physically abusive and exploitative of Sullivan. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

Indeed, in her devotion to sparkle, Pechman declines to probe too deeply into any of the industry’s more hurtful or exploitative dimensions. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Some exploitative agents have been taking as much as 20 percent. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

exploit entry 2 + -ative

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above