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

And the resulting panic about disorder was then exploited to enable still more dehumanizing. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 The research doesn’t describe the vulnerabilities exploited in the zero-click attacks or the final malware that was installed in them. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

Still, there's some speculation that BYOD —which has only been active for a week— may have stolen the data using the same exploit. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026 Now fresh from its Goodwood exploits, this one of just 10 right-hand-drive Dynamics and Lightweighting Study (DLS) Turbo restorations is being offered in an RM Sotheby’s Private Sale. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates US data centers used about 17 billion gallons of water for cooling in 2023, and that could double or even quadruple by 2028.

— Adhum Carter Wolde-Lule, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
However, the available demonstration does not specify the training setup, how responsibilities the divided between the learning methods, or the precise control architecture used during execution.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Its tech helped investigators find that former Toronto Raptors big man Jontay Porter manipulated his play on behalf of bettors.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Instead of filming hands of actual workers, young men with GoPro cameras strapped to their heads record themselves doing jobs while holding and manipulating what look like grippy robot claws.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

By contrast, the new fabric utilizes the visible white light that's already being used in hospitals.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026
LaBranche has become a master of sleight of hand and confusing defenses as the Warriors utilize a ton of misdirection and a plethora of running backs to keep the opposition guessing about who is getting the ball.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of utilize

Noun

Smith accomplished the feat in nine fewer games than Edwards.

— Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The Panthers became the first team to ever have players turn natural hat tricks — three consecutive goals by one player — in three straight games after Brady Tkachuk achieved the feat in the team’s previous two outings.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of feat

Noun

For one thing, individual stocks are more volatile than an index fund and the five-year holding period means millions of shareholders can’t sell if things go wrong.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Notably, most things known to have antidepressant effects increase brain plasticity—such as exercise, electroconvulsive therapy, selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors prescribed as antidepressants, and psychedelic drugs.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of thing

Verb

FamilyMart's ad leverages Lady Gaga's non-conformist pop persona to appeal to an increasingly diverse workforce, a retail analyst explained to me.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Turnaround initiatives that include inventory clearance, refreshed designs, international expansion and leveraging Crocs' marketing momentum are starting to pay off.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

The approach applies manufacturing practices to research and development, allowing engineers and machinists to modify components and processes quickly as designs evolve.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Al Hassan wants renewal to happen automatically without needing to apply.

— Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

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