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

We did not go through with the deal, but it appeared to illustrate how easily the hawala banking system is being exploited by smugglers.

From BBC

"There are still hundreds of thousands of leaseholders being exploited by extending their leases or in various other ways," he said.

From BBC

Because the integrated stress response is a key regulator of the fate of cells, managing the balance between cell death and survival, it is often exploited by cancer cells to promote their proliferation.

From Science Daily

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

Related Words

• abused
• oppressed
• overburdened