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

Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli said "the message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome — the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not".

From Barron's

In a statement, Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, Amichai Chikli, said: "The message is clear: humanitarian assistance is welcome — the exploitation of humanitarian frameworks for terrorism is not."

From BBC

“Bank statements or other financial records showing irregular fund use and patterns different from the elderly parent’s past actions can help substantiate concerns of financial exploitation,” she adds.

From MarketWatch

In November, the government launched the exploitation of one of the world's biggest iron ore deposits, Simandou in the southeast of the country, with a major ceremony.

From Barron's

Kent Jones, the director-critic, once wrote of Mr. Ferrara that “there is a healthy tension in his work between exploitation and thoughtfulness.”

From The Wall Street Journal