EXPLOIT Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

exploit 1 of 2

verb

ik-ˈsplȯit

Definition of exploit

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

Relevance

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exploit

2 of 2

noun

ˈek-ˌsplȯit

as in feat

an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness the fanciful exploits of the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exploit

Verb

Al-Omeisy said the international response allowed the Houthis to exploit divisions among their opponents. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 The wormholes are known as Langlands correspondences, and the decades-long effort by hundreds of mathematicians to extend and exploit these correspondences is the Langlands program. — Quanta Magazine, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Walker’s latest exploits as a sprinter came earlier this month at the AAU Junior Olympic Games at Drake. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The group behind the Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks has a new way to monetize its exploits, including asking for $169,000 in cryptocurrency for anyone interested in contacting them. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

The Saudis have since used the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which leads out of the Red Sea, for crude oil exports.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Leaders on this path are using AI to increase the capabilities of their marketing teams and expand what talented people can accomplish.

— George Couris, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Trapped-ion computers depend on lasers to manipulate and control ions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
The company accused Fox News of airing false claims that voting machines were manipulated to help Joe Biden win the 2020 presidential election.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Other benefits could include scaling India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model across BRICS, which utilizes e-commerce to sell globally.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
By utilizing scalable networks, banks have found a way to streamline settlement and reduce friction in cross-border transfers.

— Jeff Mahony, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of utilize

Noun

Space travel is taking off, but landing on the moon will be no easy feat.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 15 Sep. 2026
Circus veterans and musical-theater pros merge skills onstage, with performers learning trapeze, aerial work and puppetry under collaborative leaders who emphasize one unified troupe — and absolute trust during death-defying feats.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of feat

Noun

Not one person, not one thing, but cycles of cumulative, relational and shared actions that are equal parts remarkable and common.

— Supriya Lopez Pillai, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Or was the whole thing a connivance and Mitzi Blinkhorn always destined to win, thanks to some Machiavellian manipulation behind the scenes?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of thing

Noun

The innuendo only encouraged the bidding — and the riding jokes — with two guests ultimately taking the experience at $120,000 each.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
Biggart rarely discussed it, though the experience announced itself whenever his children approached fireworks or open flames.

— Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

Previously, the Eagles built one of the NFL’s most potent passing games around a philosophy that leveraged the otherworldly pairing of Brown and Smith.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
And Chloe Wise has capitalized on the broader public’s appetite for realism by leveraging her Instagram audience to build a side career as a fashion-circuit fixture.

— David Lê, Curbed, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

Some exceptions to the law do apply, including health conditions, relocation for a spouse’s job change or providing care for a sick family member.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026
Judge Louis will consider whether the treaty applies to the case and determine if the evidence establishes probable cause.

— Bill Chappell, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of apply

Browse Nearby Words

exploding

exploit

exploitable

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Style

“Exploit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploit. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

verb

noun

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