verb · neutral

exploit

/ɪkˈsplɔɪt/ex·PLOIT

Band 5-6task2speaking

to make full use of and benefit from something (neutral) ; to use someone unfairly for your own advantage (negative)

Examples

We should exploit new technologies to improve efficiency.

The workers were exploited by the company.

Tourists can exploit the local transport network cheaply.

Band 8 sentence

Researchers must ensure that they exploit available datasets responsibly and ethically.

Collocations

  • exploit resources
  • exploit opportunities
  • be exploited

Word family

exploitation nounexploitable adjective

Common mistakes

useexploit

exploit someoneexploit resources / exploit opportunities

Say it for a higher band

5use6take advantage of7+exploit

Synonyms

use

take advantage of

Easily confused

utilise

The company utilised new software to manage orders.

Related words

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In Sublist 8

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