exploitative
Americanadjective
Usage
What does exploitative mean? Exploitative is an adjective that describes someone or something that selfishly takes advantage of someone or a group of people in order to profit from them or otherwise benefit. It comes from the verb exploit, which commonly means to take advantage in such a way. The act of doing so is exploitation. 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. Exploitative is only ever used negatively, and it always implies greed, selfishness, or unethical practices. It’s often used in the context of the exploitation of workers by businesses, especially in phrases like exploitative practices. Other, less common variations of exploitative are exploitive and exploitatory. Example: The article exposes many of the industry’s exploitative business practices.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of exploitative
First recorded in 1890–95; exploit 2 ( def. ) + -ative ( def. )
Vocabulary lists containing exploitative
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"A ban does little to address underlying issues such as exploitative algorithms, and business models that drive harmful content and engagement," she said.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Mr. Dasgupta recommends not a return to empire—he exposes China’s exploitative, extractive relationships with African nations as little more than reheated Western colonialism—but what he calls a “new theology.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
In early February 2026, after the large-scale release of most of the FBI’s material on Epstein, Chopra released a statement on X denying involvement in “any criminal or exploitative conduct” during his friendship with Epstein.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
He said the original Ali Act since 2000 has protected fighters from previously rampant anti-competitive and exploitative practices by promoters.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
Saidy added that the media were exploitative in publishing the most hideous of Bobby’s statements, that the press should leave him alone.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
