exploit
[verb]
Synonyms:
- take advantage of, abuse, manipulate, milk, misuse, play on or upon
- make the best use of, capitalize on, cash in on (informal), profit by or from, use, utilize
[noun]
Synonyms:
- feat, accomplishment, achievement, adventure, attainment, deed, escapade, stunt

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Related Idioms: bold stroke
Related Words: effort, job, maneuver, do, performance, stunt, blow, coup, stroke, cultivate, work, manipulate, bleed, fleece, skin, soak, stick

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English Thesaurus: use, make use of something, employ, utilize, exploit, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. ex‧ploit¹ AC /ɪkˈsplɔɪt/ verb [transitive]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Old French; Origin: esploit 'result, success', from Latin explicitus, from explicare; ⇒ explicate]

1. to treat someone unfairly by asking them to do things for you, but giving them very little in return – used to show disapproval:
Homeworkers can easily be exploited by employers.

2. to try to get as much as you can out of a situation, sometimes unfairly:
The violence was blamed on thugs exploiting the situation.

3. to use something fully and effectively:
The new TV companies are fully exploiting the potential of satellite transmission.

4. to develop and use minerals, forests, oil etc for business or industry:
the urgent need to exploit the resources of the Irish Sea
—exploitable adjective
—exploiter noun [countable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. ex‧ploit² /ˈeksplɔɪt/ noun [countable usually plural]
a brave and exciting adventure that someone has had
exploit of
the daring exploits of the British Parachute Regiment

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

exploit
noun
ADJ. dare-devil, daring | legendary His courage and exploits were legendary.
military, sexual, sporting bragging about his sexual exploits

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

exploit
verb
I. treat sb unfairly for your own advantage
ADV. mercilessly, ruthlessly The workers are ruthlessly exploited by their employers.
cynically He pursued his own interests, cynically exploiting his privileged position as trustee.
deliberately | sexually

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

exploit
II. make the best use of sth
ADV. extensively, heavily | fully, to the full The firm has been successful in exploiting new technology to the full.
further | widely | effectively, profitably, successfully | properly | quickly | easily | cleverly, skilfully The architect has cleverly exploited new materials and building techniques.
commercially She was keen to exploit her discovery commercially.
VERB + EXPLOIT be determined to, be keen to, hope to, seek to | be quick to The team were quick to exploit their competitive advantage.
attempt to | fail to

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

use:
Do you mind if I use your phone?
They rebuilt the church using local stone.
We use a range of different methods.
make use of something to use something that is available to you:
Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities.
She made full use of her contacts within the organization.
employ formal to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something:
The surgeons employed a new technique.
They employed every means at their disposal (=every available method).
utilize formal to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose:
The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy.
a better way of utilizing the space
exploit to use something as fully and effectively as possible, or to use something that will give you an advantage over your opponent:
The country’s natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.
He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.
apply to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation:
New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.
I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.
draw on something to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past:
He was able to draw on his own experience as a diplomat when he was writing the book.
Journalists draw on information from many different sources.
resort to something to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something:
Extremists on both sides resort to violence.
We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.
exercise formal to use your rights, authority, influence etc:
Only 40% of the poulation exercised their right to vote.
Congress must decide whether to exercise its veto.
wield /wiːld/ formal to use great power or influence:
The central banks wield enormous power.
widespread/extensive use (=when something is used in many places or situations, or among many people)
The widespread use of computers changed business completely.
efficient use
Doing the work in stages makes the most efficient use of resources.
effective use
We need to consider whether there could be a more effective use of our time.
heavy/frequent use (=when something is used a lot)
The heavy use of pesticides in the area led to severe health problems.
regular use
These drugs are not recommended for regular use.
greater use
We want to encourage employees to make greater use of the sports facilities.
land use
Our department is responsible for establishing the guidelines for land use in the county.
drug/alcohol use
Drug use among teenage boys is on the increase.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲