# exploitation

/ˌɛksˌpɫɔɪˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /ɛksplɔɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exploitation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. unfair treatment

noun · CEFR B2

treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work or to make money.

For teachers: the action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work. Often used in socio-economic contexts regarding labour.

- 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.

### 2. use of resources

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the use of something, like land or oil, so that you can get a benefit from it.

For teachers: the action of making use of and benefiting from resources. Frequently used in technical or industrial contexts.

- 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.

### 3. lurid media genre

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of film or book that uses shocking or violent subjects to attract an audience.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- The company was accused of the exploitation of its workers.
- New laws were introduced to prevent the exploitation of young athletes by unscrupulous sports agents.
- The sustainable exploitation of natural resources requires a delicate balance between immediate economic gain and the long-term preservation of the local ecosystem.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.