Showing Results for "exploited"

See Also:

• past participle of exploit.
• past tense form of exploit.

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

Derived 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

On the surface, the Bowdens are a perfect family, but cracks are rippling with increasing intensity just beneath, a fragility that will soon be exploited by Cady.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

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

Again, she looked tentative against New Zealand's seamers, who exploited the conditions perfectly after captain Kerr did not hesitate in choosing to bowl first.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Kindness, as Nigro had said back in the Academy, was taken for weakness and exploited.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• abused
• oppressed
• overburdened