exploitation

noun

ex·​ploi·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsplȯi-ˈtā-shən 

: an act or instance of exploiting

exploitation of natural resources

exploitation of immigrant laborers

clever exploitation of the system

Examples of exploitation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Western exploitation in the nineteenth century, Japanese aggression in the early twentieth century, and various reforms under Mao Zedong in the 1950s and 1960s all left the country materially weak and with good reason to feel threatened. —Caleb Pomeroy, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2025

He is also accused of one count of exploitation of a disabled person in an amount over $50,000, one count of organized scheme to defraud $50,000 or more, one count of grand theft over $100,000 and one count of criminal use of personal identification information. —Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025

Garner was ultimately charged with 48 felonies, including child exploitation, possession of child pornography and public voyeurism. —Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 23 Dec. 2025

Authorities said the mission focused on locating critically missing children, providing immediate care and appropriate placement and deterring criminal activity tied to their exploitation. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from exploiter "to exploit entry 2" + -ation -ation

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for exploitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation