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

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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

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

Diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases continue to exploit gaps in routine immunization around the world. — Krutika Kuppalli, STAT, 13 Aug. 2026 The de minimis exemption was heavily exploited in the retail industry, especially by e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu that sell large quantities of low-price clothes and other goods. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

The firm discovered the bug and developed a working exploit for it in just 24 hours. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 The recent exploits at OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta all involved their AI models accessing websites that should have been off-limits as part of the cybersecurity testing. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

Hundreds of people with stereo systems, disco balls, tents, kegs and mattresses left huge amounts of trash, set off fireworks and used Tunitas Creek Beach as a bathroom during all-night events.

— Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Carrick using Mbeumo as a centre-forward is not new — but the way United’s forward line is gelling around him is.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Hilariously, the players figure out that they were manipulated on the unanimous Sam vote, and collectively decide that was the top-level metagame.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
The department has been further beleaguered by concerns that leaders manipulated crime statistics to boost its image.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Though the 34 cameras have been mounted at intersections throughout the city for several years, there's a new wave of suspicion about them and the way they're utilized by law enforcement.

— Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Residents have already started commenting on the Facebook video with questions about power outages, utilizing the Indiana National Guard to support clean up efforts and water connections.

— Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of utilize

Noun

Initially a rudimentary, box-like affair, things have improved since, thanks mainly to the addition of a second tier behind the goal.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Alexandra's favorite things to do while traveling include hiking to spectacular heights, enjoying new cuisines, and gaining wisdom and new perspectives from cultures around the world.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of thing

Noun

From sneak peeks of new Disney movies and shows to first looks at new experiences and products, D23 is the place where news is made for fans of Disney's theme parks, characters and more.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Closer to the season is when teams shift from building towards the demands of competitive football to trying to replicate them, while giving as many players as possible that experience.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

From this angle, leveraging threats to expel Russia in exchange for the extradition of Assad is unlikely.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026
Yet paradoxically, Beijing has found ways to leverage its extraordinary need for food imports as a source of strength on the world stage.

— Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

The marks apply across all Claude surfaces people use — the API, Claude Code, Claude Cowork and deployments through AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Foundry.

— Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
But no matter the amount returned, states have held that their specific rules apply to banks lending within their borders.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 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 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

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noun

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