exploitation

American  

[ek-sploi-tey-shuhn] / ˌɛk splɔɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. use or utilization, especially for profit.

   the exploitation of newly discovered oil fields.

2. selfish utilization.

   He got ahead through the exploitation of his friends.

3. the combined, often varied, use of public-relations and advertising techniques to promote a person, movie, product, etc.

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Usage

What does exploitation mean? Exploitation is the act of selfishly taking advantage of someone or a group of people in order to profit from them or otherwise benefit oneself.Exploitation is a noun form of the verb exploit, which commonly means to take advantage in such a way. The adjective form is exploitative, as in exploitative practices. As a verb, exploit can also be used in a more neutral way that doesn’t imply selfishness: to make the best use of something, especially an opportunity, or to create a profit or other benefit. But when the verb is applied to people, it is always used negatively.Exploitation can also be used in a way that means the use of something, especially for profit, as in Since we have these resources, we should make sure that the exploitation of them maximizes revenue. Still, exploitation is most commonly used in a negative way. One phrase in which it has this negative sense is exploitation film, a low-budget movie characterized by extreme violence, excessive gore, gratuitous sex, or other content meant to shock, disgust, or titillate.The related term blaxploitation refers to the exploitation of Black people and stereotypes about them, especially in movies featuring or intending to appeal to Black people.Example: The exploitation of workers to maximize profit is sadly widespread.

Other Word Forms

• exploitational adjective
• exploitationally adverb
• nonexploitation noun
• overexploitation noun

Etymology

Origin of exploitation

From French, dating back to 1795–1805; exploit ², -ation

Example Sentences

The inquiry was established in response to recommendations made by Baroness Casey in her national audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse published in June 2025.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

It remains to be seen whether Meta would sustain major damage from more widespread legal action related to child exploitation or the arguably addictive nature of social media.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Three years ago, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Meta, claiming the parent company of Facebook and Instagram did not do enough to protect children from exploitation on social media platforms.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

Lowenthal’s bill cited social media’s dangers such as “exposure to harmful content, compulsive use patterns, exploitation, and adverse impacts on mental health and well-being.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

In its crudest form, this exploitation of 'phasing’ could be demonstrated by setting off two pendulum metronomes at exactly the same time and precisely the same speed.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall