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 next

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Western governments see a growing risk of Russian and Chinese sabotage of undersea cables and are also concerned that Iran may seek to exploit the many data networks running through the shallow waters of the Persian Gulf. —

Tim Lister, CNN Money, 31 May 2026 More people know about the kafala system, which exploited the migrant workers who built the infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup; this was technically abolished in 2017, but workers’ rights issues there remain. —

Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 May 2026

Noun

As an angry hacker going by the moniker Chaotic Eclipse continues to release zero-day exploit code, Microsoft has now released mitigation advice for the YellowKey Windows BitLocker vulnerability that can bypass security features. —

Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 The beautiful array of their divergent sizes and pelts coalesced as oils on canvas and rendered their exploits almost dreamlike. —

Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

In the third, La Mirada used a single and two walks to load the bases with two outs but Escobar escaped when shortstop Angie Jimenez snagged a line drive.

— Dan Albano, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Norrased, who did most of the communication with the villagers in Thai, taught them how to correctly use the mouthpiece for the oxygen tanks.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 May 2026

Definition of use

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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 2 Jun. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

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