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

Stronger defenses restore training A September 20 incident exposed another weakness when an internal research model exploited a misconfigured DNS resolver. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 The vulnerabilities had been known for years, but exploiting them was considered too difficult and time-consuming for hackers. — Alexa Lomonaco,matthew J. Belvedere,jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

Most broadly, Fielder’s exploits depict the near-universal struggle for people to understand each other. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 Hours later, with the patch still unavailable, Calif mistakenly posted a video showing its exploit at work, and copycat attempts multiplied. — Harry Booth, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

The senator also used her remarks to underscore the stakes of electing lawmakers willing to withstand pressure from lobbyists and wealthy donors.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 3 Nov. 2026
However, sometimes chuck and top sirloin are used, offering a richer, more flavorful, marbled cut.

— Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of use

Verb

Key Takeaways The experiment revealed an unexpected way to manipulate the weak magnetism inside an atomic nucleus.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Some see promise in manipulating the gut microbiome; others are exploring the potential of stimulating the vagus nerve, eliciting a psychedelic experience or repurposing drugs that might quiet inflammation in the brain.

— Lynne Peeples, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

Traditional data center power systems utilize multiple conversion stages to deliver electricity from the grid to servers.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Astronomers continued to utilize Swift in the months since then, and only recently said their farewells to the intrepid, tenacious observatory.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of utilize

Noun

Coach has had a strong foothold on the Lyst Index's top 20 Hottest Brands since the second quarter of 2024, an impressive feat, considering the rest of the list is composed of much pricier luxury brands like Chanel and Bottega Veneta.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Though the band ran into a bit of legal trouble with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team, the tour has been a career-defining feat.

— Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of feat

Noun

Skip to main content Find hotels Restaurants Bars As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026
Golden State’s defense made things very hard for Atlanta again, and Gabby Williams took over in the second half, leaving our fair city’s professional championship count at three (two Braves, one United).

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of thing

Noun

Experts say Kim's troops sent to Russia to support its war against Ukraine likely gained experience in drone warfare from Russian forces and their own battlefield experiences.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2026
Amenities and experiences The center of the property, quite literally, is the pool.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

The researchers said their approach could also be applied to other quantum materials, allowing scientists to investigate electronic behavior that has previously been difficult to observe directly.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
The act applies to event tickets for public concerts, theater shows, sporting events and similar activities at venues with a capacity of over 200 seats.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 28 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 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

verb

noun

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