exploited

American  

[ik-sploi-tid] / ɪkˈsplɔɪ tɪd /

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.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of exploit.

Other Word Forms

• half-exploited adjective
• self-exploited adjective
• unexploited adjective

Etymology

Origin of exploited

exploit ² ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

"The window between a vulnerability being discovered and being exploited by an adversary has collapsed -- what once took months now happens in minutes with AI," said Crowdstrik chief technology officer Elia Zaitsev.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Other investment funds have exploited the NAV loophole in a far different way, to record spectacular paper gains.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Bridget Armstrong explains how the iconic reality show exploited the promise of a career to make reality TV gold.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Who devoted decades to some of the most exploited people in the American economy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

The country was a single body, with each organ serving its function—to say that Pharaoh exploited the people was therefore as nonsensical as saying that his head “exploited” his hands.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

Related Words

• abused
• oppressed
• overburdened