Exploit

To make use of something, especially for gain or advantage; to use someone or something in an unethical or unfair way.

verb (also noun)

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Imagine This

Imagine a company discovers a loophole in a contract and exploits it to reduce costs, ignoring ethical considerations as the law allows it to prosper.

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Sounds Like

eks-ployt

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Looks Like

Looks similar to export or explode, due to spelling and letter combination.

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Remember This

Exploiting something often implies taking unfair advantage. In computing, an exploit is a piece of code or software that takes advantage of a vulnerability to cause harm or gain access.

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Other Forms

exploitableadjective

exploitationnoun

exploiternoun

exploitedadjective

exploitingverb

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Connect With

utilize, harness, capitalize on, take advantage of, leverage, manipulate

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Note

Be careful not to confuse with 'exploration' or 'export.' Context will reveal whether 'exploit' means to use something beneficially or to abuse someone.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The company exploited the new software to automate tasks.
The firm exploited a loophole in the tax code to reduce its liability.

Synonyms

utilizeusetake advantage ofcapitalize onleverage

Antonyms

ignoreneglectprotect

Etymology

From Old French exploit meaning 'profit, advantage'; from Latin explōtitus (used, employed) via French, reflecting the sense of using something to one's advantage.

Mnemonic

EX-ploy-IT: Remember that exploiting means using a clever ploy to gain an advantage, often at someone else's expense.