exploiting

[ ik-sploi-ting ]

noun

1. the act of utilizing something, especially for profit:

   More resources should be allocated to the exploiting of the local market by attracting more business to the region.

2. the act of using a person or thing selfishly for one’s own ends:

   When I saw the commercial, I was appalled at the exploiting of children's sorrow for corporate gain.

adjective

1. using a person or thing selfishly or for profit:

   In late czarist Russia, activists began to galvanize workers and peasants against the exploiting landowners, industrialists, and state.

Other Word Forms

• self-ex·ploit·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exploiting¹

First recorded in 1830–40; exploit ²( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses; exploit ²( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective sense

Example Sentences

“Sounds like he’s exploiting you,” Zero says, “making you jump through his hoops for his own ego and personal gain … It’s what these capitalists do.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is home to several groups which accuse the government of exploiting its natural resources.

From BBC

This meant gridlocking legislative processes with obstructionist voting, using free speech guarantees to sow hatred and mistrust, and exploiting and abusing the judicial system in every way possible.

From Salon

Mexico is seeking compensation from US YouTuber MrBeast and a production company, accusing them of exploiting the nation's ancient pyramids for commercial gain.

From BBC

His crimes fall into the broader field of online catfishing – where someone uses a false identity to gain the trust of someone before exploiting them, also often referred to as "sextortion".

From BBC

Related Words

• crooked
• fraudulent
• nefarious
• rotten
• shady
• unethical
• unscrupulous
• untrustworthy
• venal