(~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you say that someone is ~ing 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 ~ed black musicians for personal gain.
...the plight of the ~ed sugar cane workers.
VERB: V n, V-ed
~ation
Extra payments should be made to protect the interests of the staff and prevent ~ation.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
If you say that someone is ~ing 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 ~ the troubles to their advantage.
VERB: V n disapproval
~ation
...the ~ation of the famine by local politicians.
N-SING: N of n
3.
If you ~ something, you use it well, and achieve something or gain an advantage from it.
Cary is hoping to ~ new opportunities in Europe...
VERB: V n
4.
To ~ 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 ~ing our own coal.
VERB: V n
~ation
...the planned ~ation of its potential oil and natural gas reserves.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
5.
If you refer to someone’s ~s, you mean the brave, interesting, or amusing things that they have done.
His wartime ~s were later made into a film.
N-COUNT: usu pl, with poss