Synonyms of exploit

exploit 1 of 2

verb

ik-ˈsplȯit 

1

as in to use

to take unfair advantage of

the type of person who exploits a friend's good nature by constantly sponging off of him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• leverage
• manipulate
• abuse
• impose (on or upon)
• play (on or upon)
• pimp
• walk on
• trade on
• capitalize (on)
• cash in (on)
• milk
• cheat
• work
• mistreat
• commercialize
• overcharge
• skin
• soak
• bleed
• fleece
• stick
• commodify
• jerk around

2

as in to manipulate

to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means

a politician more than willing to exploit any national tragedy for political gain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• manipulate
• play (upon)
• deceive
• maneuver
• trick
• engineer
• scheme
• devise
• delude
• dupe
• finagle
• defraud
• hoodwink
• plot
• jockey
• fool
• bluff
• swindle
• intrigue
• gull
• contrive
• snow
• beguile
• cozen
• take in
• kid
• mastermind
• hoax
• arrange
• cheat
• finesse
• shanghai
• chisel
• machinate
• fleece
• con
• hustle

3

as in to utilize

to put into action or service

it will be a shame if you don't exploit your artistic talent to the fullest

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• utilize
• apply
• employ
• harness
• operate
• exercise
• draw upon
• draw on
• make use of
• manipulate
• handle
• wield
• bring to bear
• work
• direct
• run
• cannibalize
• reuse
• recycle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• misuse
• misapply

exploit

2 of 2

noun

ˈek-ˌsplȯit 

1

as in feat

an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness

the fanciful exploits of the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• feat
• stunt
• deed
• trick
• achievement
• performance
• number
• tour de force
• success
• triumph
• accomplishment
• coup
• attainment
• adventure

2

as in thing

something done by someone

once famed as an actor, John Wilkes Booth is now remembered for a single exploit, his assassination of Lincoln

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thing
• doing
• act
• action
• achievement
• feat
• deed
• accomplishment
• experience
• work
• performance
• activity
• initiative
• move
• attainment
• enterprise
• tactic
• trick
• undertaking
• adventure
• maneuver
• measure
• stunt
• handiwork
• dealing
• operation
• procedure
• proceeding
• emprise
• step
• coaction

3

as in experience

an exciting or noteworthy event that one experiences firsthand

a memoir recounting three decades of exploits as a roving foreign correspondent for TV news

Synonyms & Similar Words

• experience
• adventure
• time
• happening
• doing
• ordeal
• geste
• gest
• emprise
• ploy
• test
• act
• exploration
• deed
• venture
• risk
• episode
• mission
• performance
• escapade
• feat
• occasion
• stunt
• action
• quest
• lark
• enterprise
• expedition
• trial
• baptism
• tribulation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bore
• drag
• bust
• downer
• bummer

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun exploit differ from other similar words?

The words achievement and feat are common synonyms of exploit. While all three words mean "a remarkable deed," exploit suggests an adventurous or heroic act.

his exploits as a spy

When could achievement be used to replace exploit?

In some situations, the words achievement and exploit are roughly equivalent. However, achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty or opposition.

her achievements as a chemist

When is it sensible to use feat instead of exploit?

The words feat and exploit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feat implies strength or dexterity or daring.

an acrobatic feat

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exploit

Verb

The approach exploits the peculiar features of quantum physics. —Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 7 Sep. 2025

For society, all sorts of complex questions arise if the basic science affirms the conditions necessary for exploiting the water. —Rodrique Ngowi, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025

Noun

The quartet swapped stories about Malone’s exploits and dealmaking, as audience members that included James Dolan, Robert Kraft, Ken Lowe, Jennifer Witz, Roger Lynch, Paul Gould and other boldface names listened intently. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025

Hailing from Scream scribe and Dawson's Creek creator Kevin Williamson, the crime drama followed the exploits of a prominent North Carolina family whose desperation to save their fishing empire leads them into increasingly dangerous waters. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025