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

Homeland Security Investigations, the agency conducting the at-home visits, is one of the enforcement arms of ICE and typically focuses on criminal cross border investigations like child exploitation, drug smuggling and money laundering. — Madeleine May, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

In response, the company imposed web application firewalls to block the exploitation attempts. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

According to the affidavit, federal agents opened their investigation after receiving a complaint on March 25, 2025, from a representative of a nonprofit organization working against human trafficking and exploitation. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026

The laws protecting children in film and television evolved over decades in response to cases of exploitation. — Nancy Jo Sales, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

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