exploitative
adjective
ex·ploit·ative
ik-ˈsplȯi-tə-tiv 
ˈek-ˌsplȯi-
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
Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners after the talks as Zelensky warned of 55,000 Ukrainian troop deaths and cautioned against exploitative peace terms.
—
Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Beyond shedding light on the exploitative nature of the AI industry, Gourault highlights the workers’ attempts to claim agency, however precarious, through tactics of organization and expression.
—Farren Fei Yuan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
While many talk shows began as fitfully amusing discussions around relevant issues, some soon devolved into sordid and exploitative freak shows that encouraged verbal and physical altercations.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Curiously, however, the researchers also noted instances where octopuses punched fish without any obvious short-term benefit; these punches didn’t result in access to food or displacement of an exploitative partner.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
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Kamila Hrabchuk, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Beyond shedding light on the exploitative nature of the AI industry, Gourault highlights the workers’ attempts to claim agency, however precarious, through tactics of organization and expression.
—Farren Fei Yuan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
While many talk shows began as fitfully amusing discussions around relevant issues, some soon devolved into sordid and exploitative freak shows that encouraged verbal and physical altercations.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Curiously, however, the researchers also noted instances where octopuses punched fish without any obvious short-term benefit; these punches didn’t result in access to food or displacement of an exploitative partner.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for exploitative
Cite this Entry
“Exploitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploitative. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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