exploitative

adjective ex·ploit·ative \ ik-ˈsplȯi-tə-tiv , ek-ˌsplȯi- \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of exploitative

: 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

Recent Examples of exploitative from the Web

Anti-capitalists view capitalism as an inhuman, anti-democratic, unsustainable, deeply exploitative system that must be dismantled.

— kim kelly, Teen Vogue, "What “Capitalism” Is and How It Affects People," 11 Apr. 2018
Some fans have described the shots on social media as lazy, cheap and exploitative.

— usa today sports, USA TODAY, "CBS defends showing crying children in NCAA tournament broadcasts," 21 Mar. 2018
Provocative and abrasively eye-catching, Masterson takes on the exploitative and hyper-sexualized representation of women in media.

— robert steiner, BostonGlobe.com, "Scholastic Art & Writing winners explore imagination — and the world," 16 Mar. 2018
Never bombastic or exploitative, director Sean Baker wrings a tense, quiet scene out of this man's ejection from the motel grounds.

— tom philip, GQ, "Now Is the Perfect Time to Watch The Florida Project," 31 Jan. 2018
As grim and exploitative as that reality appears, in Hall's disarming performance — emotionally unguarded, with just the right balance of funny attitude and innocence — Abby clearly rises above her situation.

— david rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Night Comes On': Film Review | Sundance 2018," 23 Jan. 2018
Domestic work offered little pay, was extended virtually no protection by labor laws and was grossly exploitative.

— ashley nkadi, The Root, "Domestic Workers: The Women Who Raised America," 27 Mar. 2018
Thomas Christopher Mares, 53, faces 60 felony charges of possession of child exploitative material, a class 3 felony, according to Fort Collins police.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Colorado man collected 700,000 images, videos of child porn, police say | The Kansas City Star," 27 Mar. 2018
Unionization is now top of mind for many industry employees who, for years and behind closed doors, have discussed exploitative and toxic working conditions up and down the industry ladder.

— nick statt, The Verge, "Game developers look to unions to fix the industry’s exploitative workplace culture," 23 Mar. 2018

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