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

OpenAI was evaluating its artificial intelligence models’ ability to exploit vulnerable software when instead the models hacked the infrastructure surrounding the test, broke containment, and attacked a real company, OpenAI revealed on July 21. — Harry Booth, Time, 24 July 2026 But the breach demonstrates that sophisticated AI systems can discover and exploit novel attack paths in real-world systems without access to their underlying source code, OpenAI acknowledged. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Noun

In that case, Mythos had been asked to do so—but the model then posted details about the exploit, unbidden, on the internet. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026 Unsurprisingly, there was a strong Premier League presence among the leading clubs represented, but Crystal Palace and Sunderland will be particularly happy with their players’ exploits. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

Concerned that the programs’ growing sophistication could induce emotional dependency and addiction, China last week banned minors from using AI companions and imposed additional requirements on platforms to prevent misuse.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
The man originally did not take responsibility, but the Sheriff’s Office later identified his vehicle using Flock camera footage and video from a homeowner’s private camera.

— Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 23 July 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Federal prosecutors said the recruitment system helped Epstein abuse hundreds of victims over decades, while some recruiters later said they had themselves been manipulated, exploited or coerced by Epstein into participating.

— Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Known as nitrogen-vacancy centers, these atomic-scale structures allow the system to manipulate electron and nuclear spins without needing liquid helium or high-vacuum environments.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

How will the position fare in a new offensive scheme under Gordon Sammis that plans to utilize more multiple tight end sets?

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
This anniversary re-release presentation utilizes StudioCanal’s 2017 restoration and 3D conversion.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of utilize

Noun

That is no small feat given the bullpen began the season with many questions about its viability, and the club has navigated the absences of Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón from the rotation at various points.

— Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 27 July 2026
The OpenAI models achieved this feat by exploiting a zero-day flaw in Hugging Face’s data-processing pipeline to run malicious code that escalated the models’ access to the company’s high-value cloud and server clusters.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026

Definition of feat

Noun

Legally, a token that tracks a company's price and actual ownership of that company's shares can be two very different things.

— Mike Cahill, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
But, to be on the safe side, researchers decided to bring in a few of their key breeding stock — fragments of some of the last naturally occurring Elkhorn coral on the Florida reef — in case things get worse.

— Alex Harris July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

Definition of thing

Noun

In my mind, there’s no greater outdoor experience than being in the Okefenokee at dusk and dawn.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
Browning and Eveland developed the educational curriculum that would provide both an understanding and hands-on experience in a friendly environment where questions are encouraged.

— Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

Companies and institutions must intentionally leverage AI to enhance human relationships, mentorship, and care, ensuring efficiency serves dignity and purpose, not just output.

— Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
By leveraging its intellectual property, Playboy pursues an asset-light model across licensing, digital content, consumer products and experiential offerings.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

Transparency advocates, and even the Pentagon’s own internal watchdog, have described the term CUI as inconsistently applied and overused.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Garcia never stepped on the brakes before the SUV hit the tree; only the vehicle’s accelerator was applied, according to the DA’s Office.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of apply

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exploding

exploit

exploitable

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Style

“Exploit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploit. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

verb

noun

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