definitions

exploitative

[ ik-sploi-tuh-tiv ]
/ ɪkˈsplɔɪ tə tɪv /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exploitative ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

taking unfair or unethical advantage of a person, group, or situation for the purpose of profit, comfort, or advancement: Her success attracted too many exploitative relatives to count.

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RELATED WORDS

credulous, dupable, green, gullible, innocent, naive, susceptible, trusting, unsophisticated, unsuspecting, exploitative, available, feasible, fit, functional, helpful, operable, useful, working, doable

Nearby words

exploding star, exploit, exploitable, exploitation, exploitation film, exploitative, exploiter, exploits, exploration, explorationist, exploratory
Also ex·ploit·ive [ik-sploi-tiv] /ɪkˈsplɔɪ tɪv/. Sometimes ex·ploit·a·to·ry [ik-sploi-tuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪkˈsplɔɪ təˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/.

Origin of exploitative

First recorded in 1890–95; exploit2 + -ative

Related forms

ex·ploit·a·tive·ly, adverb

Definition for exploitive (2 of 2)

exploit

2
[ verb ik-sploit; noun eks-ploit, ik-sploit ]
/ verb ɪkˈsplɔɪt; noun ˈɛks plɔɪt, ɪkˈsplɔɪt /

verb (used with object)

to utilize, especially for profit; turn to practical account: to exploit a business opportunity.
to use selfishly for one's own ends: employers who exploit their workers.
to advance or further through exploitation; promote: He exploited his new movie through a series of guest appearances.

noun Digital Technology.

  1. a flaw in hardware or software that is vulnerable to hacking or other cyberattacks.
  2. a piece of software that takes advantage of such a flaw to compromise a computer system or network.
(in a video game) the use of a bug or flaw in game design to a player’s advantage or to the disadvantage of other players.

Origin of exploit

2
1375–1425; < French exploiter, derivative of exploit (noun); replacing late Middle English expleiten “to achieve,” from Anglo-French, Middle French espleiter, espleitier derivative of espleit, esploit (noun). See exploit1

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for exploitive

  • Some of these, however, were exploitive and in contradiction to the faith which he professed.

    Herein is Love|Reuel L. Howe

  • Poverty and the greater portion of crime can be traced directly to this exploitive system.

    Why I am in favor of socialism|Various

British Dictionary definitions for exploitive

exploit

noun (ˈɛksplɔɪt)

a notable deed or feat, esp one that is noble or heroic

verb (ɪkˈsplɔɪt) (tr)

to take advantage of (a person, situation, etc), esp unethically or unjustly for one's own ends
to make the best use ofto exploit natural resources

Derived Forms

exploitable, adjectiveexploitation, nounexploitive or exploitative, adjective

Word Origin for exploit

C14: from Old French: accomplishment, from Latin explicitum (something) unfolded, from explicāre to explicate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012