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

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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

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

The Commission stressed the importance of early and at-home voting to prevent large gatherings which could be exploited by Ukrainian attacks. — Chris Massaro , Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 The show can’t help itself from exploiting one more tragic story. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Noun

Otherwise, after decades of exclusion, Syria could return to the regional map merely as a fragile conduit for others’ commercial exploits. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

And Oscar, stunned at his victory, promises to use his winnings to take the whole cast and crew to dinner.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Many organizations don’t have a complete inventory of where cryptography is being used today.

— Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Posters are editing and manipulating the recordings to distort their content.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
But even if the risks are merely bad—like hacking into a single financial institution or hospital, manipulating the stock market, or taking out an electrical grid—suing a company after the fact won’t really provide the outcome society wants.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Combs has both utilized and weaponized his fortune, industry status, and reputation to hide a volatile temper and disturbing behavior for decades.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Since 2018, the club has utilized SeatGeek for its ticketing operations, hospitality and concerts at both the Etihad Stadium and Joie Stadium.

— Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of utilize

Noun

His conservatives and their grand coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), would have to agree on his successor, no easy feat.

— Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026
The uplifting sci-fi movie, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, went on to make about $685 million worldwide at the box office; an impressive feat for a non-franchise blockbuster these days.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of feat

Noun

Leo July 23 – August 22 A personal experience could become useful material for something creative.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Berens brings more than 15 years of experience spanning business development, e-commerce, digital marketing and omnichannel growth.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

This sort of use of AI is not unique to Iran, nor to the way adversaries have been leveraging cyber capabilities for military purposes and to gain greater situational awareness, Shah and others said.

— Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
The challenge is making the economics of working locally in Canada, including leveraging currency savings and tax credits, to allow for international exploitation.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

Because the case was filed as a class action lawsuit, if a judge sides with the plaintiffs, that decision will apply not just to the 17 scientist plaintiffs, but to any researcher whose work has been affected by the term searches.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 17 Sep. 2026
In 2025, 101,900 people applied for asylum in the UK, the third-highest number ever recorded in a calendar year, according to government figures.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 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 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

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noun

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