The verb is pronounced /ɪksplɔɪt/. The noun is pronounced /eksplɔɪt/.
( exploited)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you say that someone is exploiting you, you think that they are treating you unfairly by using your work or ideas and giving you very little in return.
Critics claim he exploited black musicians for personal gain.
...the plight of the exploited sugar cane workers.
VERB : V n , V-ed
• ex‧ploi‧ta‧tion
Extra payments should be made to protect the interests of the staff and prevent exploitation.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
If you say that someone is exploiting a situation, you disapprove of them because they are using it to gain an advantage for themselves, rather than trying to help other people or do what is right.
The government and its opponents compete to exploit the troubles to their advantage.
VERB : V n [ disapproval ]
• ex‧ploi‧ta‧tion
...the exploitation of the famine by local politicians.
N-SING : N of n
3.
If you exploit something, you use it well, and achieve something or gain an advantage from it.
Cary is hoping to exploit new opportunities in Europe...
VERB : V n
4.
To exploit resources or raw materials means to develop them and use them for industry or commercial activities.
I think we’re being very short sighted in not exploiting our own coal.
VERB : V n
• ex‧ploi‧ta‧tion
...the planned exploitation of its potential oil and natural gas reserves.
N-UNCOUNT : usu N of n
5.
If you refer to someone’s exploits , you mean the brave, interesting, or amusing things that they have done.
His wartime exploits were later made into a film.
N-COUNT : usu pl , with poss