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

Led by Will, a reckless 16-year-old struggling with his mother’s death, the friends begin stealing firearms from neighbors and exploiting the program to make thousands of dollars. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026 Bitdefender's decision to make this problem public may encourage Google to plug the gap quickly and prevent bad actors from exploiting it. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Noun

Sekoia said the more recent campaign used two other exploit chains that weren’t named. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 4 Nov. 2026 In the special, James tackles her exploits in dating, feminism and finances. — Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 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

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

But to check in to this grand dame is a different experience entirely.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Barri Worth Girvan, a veteran government employee who ran on a platform of leveraging her experience to advocate for residents, declared victory in the race for Los Angeles City Council’s Third District seat late Friday.

— Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of experience

Verb

With the official kick-off of the holiday shopping season just around the corner, retailers and brands are leveraging AI for product discovery and shopping.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026
The idiosyncrasy to California’s film and TV tax credit program has been leveraged by competing states and foreign countries to coax productions into leaving.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of leverage

Verb

Proponents say the measure applies to eight categories of projects California communities need to expand housing, improve civic infrastructure and promote green energy.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
On the other hand, many of these albums are timeless and continue to resonate, and today’s streaming culture has embraced exhuming catalog music — something that applies not only to old singles, but to old albums.

— Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 4 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

verb

noun

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