exploited

[ ik-sploi-tid ]

adjective

1. utilized or made practical use of, especially for profit:

   Edible insects are a widely exploited food source among many of the world’s Indigenous populations.

2. used selfishly by someone for their own ends:

   Every one of these exploited workers shared stories of their inhumane working conditions and their determination to fight back.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of exploit ²( def ).

Other Words From

• half-ex·ploit·ed adjective
• self-ex·ploit·ed adjective
• un·ex·ploit·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exploited¹

exploit ²( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times

Adrian said: "Tash talks about how much of a privilege it was to play for Wales. She's exploited that privilege and disappointed my daughter, and lots of other people."

From BBC

Thousands of companies have exploited its porousness by plucking workers from the ranks of unauthorized migrants, sometimes with impunity.

From New York Times

This fact, the researchers note, potentially could be exploited to stop the spread of antibiotic resistance.

From Science Daily

He said Woodward was a socially awkward young man who suffered for years with undiagnosed autism and felt a “starvation for human connection” exploited by the extremist group.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abused
• oppressed
• overburdened