exploitation
ehksp-loy-TAYSHN
Exploitation (noun) means the unfair use of someone or something for personal gain. Example: “Child labour is a cruel form of exploitation that many countries have banned.”
noun
1
The unfair use of someone or something for personal gain.
"Child labour is a cruel form of exploitation that many countries have banned."
"The film shows the exploitation of young musicians by dishonest managers."
"The report exposed the exploitation of migrant workers."
2
The act of making practical use of something, such as a resource.
"The exploitation of wind power has grown quickly along the coast."
"Careful exploitation of the forest can provide timber without destroying it."
"The exploitation of natural gas reserves boosted the economy."
How to use exploitation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsing something (or someone) for gain — often, but not always, in an unfair way.
Common pairings
worker exploitation
resource exploitation
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Word forms
- Plural
- exploitations
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Child labour is a cruel form of _____ that many countries have banned.
Etymology
Borrowed from French exploitation, from exploiter ("to exploit"), from Latin explicare ("to unfold, deploy").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for exploitation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for exploitation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “exploitation” mean?
The word “exploitation” means the unfair use of someone or something for personal gain. In plain terms, using something (or someone) for gain — often, but not always, in an unfair way.
How do you pronounce “exploitation”?
“Exploitation” is pronounced ehksp-loy-TAYSHN (/ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “exploitation” in a sentence?
Here is “exploitation” used in a sentence: “The report exposed the exploitation of migrant workers.”
What part of speech is “exploitation”?
“Exploitation” is a noun.
Where does the word “exploitation” come from?
The word “exploitation” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French exploitation, from exploiter ("to exploit"), from Latin explicare ("to unfold, deploy").
Is “exploitation” a common word?
“Exploitation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “exploitation” have?
“Exploitation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the unfair use of someone or something for personal gain.
What is the difference between exploitation and exploit?
Exploitation is a noun describing either the unfair use of someone for personal gain or the general act of making practical use of a resource. Exploit can function as a noun meaning a daring achievement or as a verb meaning to make use of or take unfair advantage of something.
When is exploitation used in a neutral sense rather than a negative one?
Exploitation can refer neutrally to the practical use of a resource, such as the exploitation of natural gas reserves or mineral deposits. In discussions of people or labor, however, exploitation almost always carries a negative, unfair connotation.
What is worker exploitation?
Worker exploitation refers to the unfair use of employees for personal or corporate gain, typically involving underpayment, unsafe conditions, or excessive demands relative to what workers receive in return. It draws on the sense of exploitation meaning unfair use of someone for personal benefit.
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