exploit

2
[ verb ik-sploit; noun eks-ploit, ik-sploit ]
/ verb ɪkˈsplɔɪt; noun ˈɛks plɔɪt, ɪkˈsplɔɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR exploit ON THESAURUS.COM

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

OTHER WORDS FROM exploit

Words nearby exploit

explicit function, explode, exploded view, explodent, exploding star, exploit, exploitation, exploitation film, exploitative, exploration, explorationist

Words related to exploited

oppressed, overworked

Example sentences from the Web for exploited

British Dictionary definitions for exploited

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 of to exploit natural resources

Derived forms of exploit

exploitable, adjective exploitation, noun exploitive or exploitative, adjective

Word Origin for exploit

C14: from Old French: accomplishment, from Latin explicitum (something) unfolded, from explicāre to explicate