exploit
/ˈɛksplɔɪt/verb
To take unfair advantage of someone or something, such as a person's work, trust, or weakness, for your own gain.
Example sentences
- “The factory exploited workers by paying them far below minimum wage.”
- “Scammers often exploit people's fear of losing money.”
- “Critics say the reality show exploits the families it films.”
It can also be neutral, meaning to make full use of something: exploit an opportunity, exploit natural resources. The verb is stressed ex-PLOIT; the noun 'exploits' (EX-ploits) means daring adventures.