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

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

The objection reflects how radically the perception of Khrzhanovsky’s Dau experiment has shifted over the course of two decades — from transcendent art project to exploitative scandal to, now, geopolitical lightning rod. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

When modification happens, however, there is no requirement for the agency to publish its conclusions about remediation of the underlying, exploitative labor conditions. — Charity Ryerson, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026

Without a doubt, opponents of the deal will seize on that as evidence of its being exploitative and will demand renegotiation on that basis. — Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

exploit entry 2 + -ative

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above