extractive

American  

[ik-strak-tiv] / ɪkˈstræk tɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to extract, or based upon extraction.

   coal, oil, copper, and other extractive industries.

2. capable of being extracted, as from the earth.

   extractive fuels.

3. of, relating to, or involving extraction.

   extractive surgery.

4. of or of the nature of an extract.

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noun

1. something extracted.

extractive British  

/ ɪkˈstræktɪv /

adjective

1. tending or serving to extract

2. of, involving, or capable of extraction

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noun

1. something extracted or capable of being extracted

2. the part of an extract that is insoluble

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonextractive
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of extractive

First recorded in 1590–1600; extract + -ive

Example Sentences

Mr. Dasgupta recommends not a return to empire—he exposes China’s exploitative, extractive relationships with African nations as little more than reheated Western colonialism—but what he calls a “new theology.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Before, investments were focused on oil and other extractive sectors.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

States that depend heavily on extractive industries such as mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction tended to offer fewer protections for insects and arachnids.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Vegas has grown more expensive in recent years—hotels and restaurants have gotten pricier, gambling more extractive.

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

The extractive, transport, manufacturing, and merchant stages may of course be subdivided into many complex processes, as applied to the history of the more elaborately-produced commodities.

From The Evolution of Modern Capitalism A Study of Machine Production by Hobson, J. A. (John Atkinson)