exploit
gb/ˈɛksplɔɪt/ us/ˈɛksplɔɪt/
B2
English
~ 3100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
Use unfairly for advantage
To treat someone or something unfairly to get a benefit for yourself.
Usage pattern:
to exploit [someone/something] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'exploit' with 'explore'. 'Exploit' means to use unfairly, while 'explore' means to look around or investigate.
Synonyms
take advantage of (Common in everyday speech; slightly less formal than 'exploit'.)
|
abuse (Stronger negative connotation, implies harm or cruelty.)
Antonyms
protect (To keep someone safe instead of using them unfairly.)
|
support (To help and assist rather than use for personal gain.)
Collocations
exploit workers
|exploit resources
|exploit a situation
|exploit a loophole
Themes
business
|ethics
|society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company was accused of exploiting its employees by paying very low wages.
- He exploited the legal loophole to avoid paying taxes.
- Tourists sometimes exploit the local culture without respecting it.
Learner examples
- The shop owner exploited the workers.
- They exploited the cheap prices in the market.
- She exploited his kindness to get money.
Verb
B2
action
2
Use effectively for advantage
To use something well so you get a good result.
Usage pattern:
to exploit [something] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Some learners only know the negative meaning of 'exploit' and miss its neutral or positive usage in certain contexts.
Synonyms
utilize (More formal and neutral; lacks the negative connotation of 'exploit'.)
|
leverage (Often used in business contexts to mean using an asset to gain advantage.)
Antonyms
waste (To fail to use something effectively.)
Collocations
exploit opportunities
|exploit strengths
|exploit technology
Themes
business
|technology
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The team exploited their opponent's weakness to win the match.
- She exploited her language skills to get a better job.
- We need to exploit renewable energy sources more efficiently.
Learner examples
- The player exploited the open space to score.
- He exploited the chance to talk to the manager.
- They exploited the new tool to finish faster.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Notable or heroic deed
An exciting or important thing someone does that needs skill or courage.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this noun form with the verb meaning. In this sense, it refers to an action or event, not the act of using someone or something.
Synonyms
feat (Focuses on skill and difficulty of the achievement.)
|
achievement (General term for something successfully done.)
Antonyms
failure (The opposite of a successful or notable act.)
Collocations
heroic exploits
|military exploits
|legendary exploits
Themes
history
|storytelling
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The soldier's exploits were celebrated in his hometown.
- Her exploits as a mountain climber inspired many young adventurers.
- The book tells the exploits of a famous detective.
Learner examples
- We read about his exploits in the war.
- Her exploits made her famous in the city.
- The movie shows the exploits of the hero.
Grammar
Dictionary form
exploit
IPA
GB/ˈɛksplɔɪt/
US/ˈɛksplɔɪt/
Syllables & stress
ex - ploit (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ex)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: exploit
- Plural: exploits
Verb
- Base: exploit
- 3rd Person Singular: exploits
- Present Participle: exploiting
- Past: exploited
Word family
Forms
exploits
noun
exploiting
verb
exploited
verb
Core family
exploitation
noun B2
exploitative
adjective C1
Related words
exploiter
noun
exploitable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unexploited
adjective
Advanced or less common
exploitive
adjective
exploitability
noun
Expressions
exploit a loophole
1/ɪksplˈɔɪt ə lˈuphˌoʊl/
fixed phrase
Use legal gap for advantage
To use a small mistake or gap in rules or laws to get an advantage.
Examples
- The company exploited a loophole in tax law to save millions.
- He exploited a loophole in the contract to leave early.
exploit a loophole
1/ɪksplˈɔɪt ə lˈuphˌoʊl/
fixed phrase
Use a rule gap
to use a weakness in a rule to do something that the rule was probably meant to prevent
Examples
- Several companies exploited a loophole in the law to avoid reporting their emissions.
- The app exploited a loophole in the platform's privacy rules.
- He was criticized for exploiting a loophole instead of following the spirit of the agreement.
exploit someone's weakness
1/ɪksplˈɔɪt sˈʌmwˌʌnz wˈiknəs/
fixed phrase
Take advantage of vulnerability
To use something a person cannot do well or is bad at to get an advantage over them.
Examples
- The chess player exploited her opponent's weakness in endgames.
- They exploited his lack of experience during negotiations.