Word
exploitation
Phoneticsex·ploita·tion
US/ˌɛksˌpɫɔɪˈteɪʃən/
UK/ɛksplɔɪtˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01unfair treatment
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work or to make money.
n. the action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work. Often used in socio-economic contexts regarding labour.
日本語:搾取※
“The charity works to protect children from exploitation in the garment industry.”
“The report highlighted the systemic exploitation of migrant workers, who were often forced to work long hours for sub-minimum wages in hazardous conditions.”
Usage
Uncountable in this sense.
Synonyms
02use of resources
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Academic · Technical
n. the use of something, like land or oil, so that you can get a benefit from it.
n. the action of making use of and benefiting from resources. Frequently used in technical or industrial contexts.
日本語:開発※
“The country is looking for new ways for the exploitation of its natural gas reserves.”
“Commercial exploitation of the mineral deposits remained unfeasible until recent advancements in deep-sea drilling technology made the process cost-effective.”
Usage
Can be countable or uncountable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03lurid media genre
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Technical
n. a type of film or book that uses shocking or violent subjects to attract an audience.
n. a genre of film or media that focuses on lurid, sensationalist depictions of topical social issues, violence, or sexuality.
“The director became famous for making low-budget exploitation films in the 1970s.”
“While often dismissed as mere trash, certain exploitation movies from that era are now studied for their subversive social commentary.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier, as in 'exploitation cinema'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “exploitation” in context.
Verb
01. curb the exploitation
“New legislation was introduced to curb the exploitation of migrant workers in the agricultural sector.”
verb + noun
02. denounce the exploitation
“Human rights activists gathered to denounce the exploitation of child labor in the garment industry.”
verb + noun
03. maximize the exploitation
“The company aims to maximize the exploitation of its existing patents before they expire.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. commercial exploitation
“The artist was wary of the commercial exploitation of his work by large corporations.”
adj + noun
05. ruthless exploitation
“The documentary highlights the ruthless exploitation of natural resources in the rainforest.”
adj + noun
06. systemic exploitation
“The report identified systemic exploitation within the gig economy that needs urgent reform.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. exploitation of resources
“Sustainable development requires a balance between economic growth and the exploitation of resources.”
noun + of + noun
08. vulnerability to exploitation
“Lack of legal status increases their vulnerability to exploitation by unscrupulous employers.”
noun + prep + noun
Preposition
09. against exploitation
“The union provides a necessary safeguard against exploitation in the workplace.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“The charges against the 15-year-old were dropped in 2021 when the Home Office made a formal finding that Rhianan had been a victim of exploitation.” “Are AI companions mapping the mysteries of the human heart for future exploitation?” “AI, it adds, is outpacing efforts to respond to its rapid adoption , compounding risks such as AI-generated content to AI-facilitated exploitation.” Etymology
Borrowed from French exploitation, from exploiter (“exploit”), from Latin explicō (“unfold, deploy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/exploitation
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0