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. )

Explanation

Something that's exploited is fully taken advantage of. Fear is probably the most commonly exploited emotion used by directors of horror films. Exploited talents are ones that have been put to good use. And resources that are exploited are being used advantageously. However, this word is quite often used in a more negative way, to mean "used in a victimizing way." In some countries, exploited children are forced to work long hours in bad conditions. When animals are used to test shampoo, most people agree these critters are also exploited.

Example Sentences

U.S. aid has been a lifeline for communities whose desperation can be exploited by militant recruiters.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

But at the same time, the AI cybersecurity threat has been highlighted by Mythos, a powerful new model that US startup Anthropic withheld from public release to stop it from being exploited by hackers.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

Campaigners have said the current system is too easily exploited.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

With Claude, building the code that exploited the two MacOS bugs took five days, Calif says.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

According to a London-based expert on the insurance industry, North Korea also exploited the geographical ignorance and political naivete of some reinsurers and their brokers.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Related Words

• abused
• oppressed
• overburdened