exploit

1
[ ek-sploit, ik-sploit ]
See synonyms for: exploitexploitedexploitingexploits on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a striking or notable deed; feat; spirited or heroic act: the exploits of Alexander the Great.

Origin of exploit

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English exploit, espleit, from Old French exploit, Anglo-French espleit, from Latin explicitum, neuter of explicitus “unfolded, set forth,” variant past participle of explicāre “to unfold, unroll, smooth, reveal”; see explicate

synonym study For exploit

Other words for exploit

Other definitions for exploit (2 of 2)

exploit2
[ verb ik-sploit; noun eks-ploit, ik-sploit ]

verb (used with object)
  1. to utilize, especially for profit; turn to practical account: to exploit a business opportunity.

  2. to use selfishly for one's own ends: employers who exploit their workers.

  1. to advance or further through exploitation; promote: He exploited his new movie through a series of guest appearances.

nounDigital Technology.
    • a flaw in hardware or software that is vulnerable to hacking or other cyberattacks.

    • a piece of software that takes advantage of such a flaw to compromise a computer system or network.

  1. (in a video game) the use of a bug or flaw in game design to a player’s advantage or to the disadvantage of other players.

Origin of exploit

2
First recorded in 1300–50; from French exploiter, derivative of exploit (noun); replacing late Middle English expleiten “to achieve,” from Anglo-French, Middle French espleiter, espleitier, derivative of espleit, esploit, expleit, exploit (noun), from Latin explicitum “matter settled, displayed,” noun use of explicitus “unfolded, revealed,” variant past participle of explicāre; see exploit1

Other words from exploit

  • ex·ploit·a·ble, adjective
  • ex·ploit·a·bil·i·ty [ik-sploi-tuh-bil-i-tee], /ɪkˌsplɔɪ təˈbɪl ɪ ti/, noun
  • ex·ploit·a·tive, ex·ploit·a·to·ry [ik-sploi-tuh-tawr-ee], /ɪkˈsplɔɪ təˌtɔr i/, ex·ploit·ive, adjective
  • ex·ploit·er, noun
  • non·ex·ploit·a·ble, adjective
  • non·ex·ploit·a·tive, adjective
  • non·ex·ploi·tive, adjective
  • un·ex·ploit·a·ble, adjective
  • un·ex·ploit·a·tive, adjective
  • un·ex·ploit·ive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use exploit in a sentence

  • They are susceptible, exploitable, hysterical, non-resistant to external suggestion.

    The Pivot of Civilization | Margaret Sanger

British Dictionary definitions for exploit

exploit

noun(ˈɛksplɔɪt)
  1. a notable deed or feat, esp one that is noble or heroic

verb(ɪkˈsplɔɪt) (tr)
  1. to take advantage of (a person, situation, etc), esp unethically or unjustly for one's own ends

  2. to make the best use of: to exploit natural resources

Origin of exploit

1
C14: from Old French: accomplishment, from Latin explicitum (something) unfolded, from explicāre to explicate

Derived forms of exploit

  • exploitable, adjective
  • exploitation, noun
  • exploitive or exploitative, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012