I. ex ‧ ploit 1 AC /ɪkˈsplɔɪt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: esploit 'result, success' , from Latin explicitus , from explicare ; ⇨ ↑ explicate ]
1 . to treat someone unfairly by asking them to do things for you, but giving them very little in return – used to show disapproval:
Homeworkers can easily be exploited by employers.
2 . to try to get as much as you can out of a situation, sometimes unfairly:
The violence was blamed on thugs exploiting the situation.
3 . to use something fully and effectively:
The new TV companies are fully exploiting the potential of satellite transmission.
4 . to develop and use minerals, forests, oil etc for business or industry:
the urgent need to exploit the resources of the Irish Sea
—exploitable adjective
—exploiter noun [countable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ use :
Do you mind if I use your phone?
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They rebuilt the church using local stone.
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We use a range of different methods.
▪ make use of something to use something that is available to you:
Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities.
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She made full use of her contacts within the organization.
▪ employ formal to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something:
The surgeons employed a new technique.
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They employed every means at their disposal (=every available method) .
▪ utilize formal to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose:
The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy.
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a better way of utilizing the space
▪ exploit to use something as fully and effectively as possible, or to use something that will give you an advantage over your opponent:
The country’s natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.
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He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.
▪ apply to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation:
New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.
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I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.
▪ draw on something to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past:
He was able to draw on his own experience as a diplomat when he was writing the book.
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Journalists draw on information from many different sources.
▪ resort to something to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something:
Extremists on both sides resort to violence.
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We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.
II. ex ‧ ploit 2 /ˈeksplɔɪt/ BrE AmE noun [countable usually plural]
a brave and exciting adventure that someone has had
exploit of
the daring exploits of the British Parachute Regiment