exploitative

adjective

ex·​ploit·​ative ik-ˈsplȯi-tə-tiv How to pronounce exploitative (audio) ˈek-ˌsplȯi- How to pronounce exploitative (audio)
: exploiting or tending to exploit
especially : unfairly or cynically using another person or group for profit or advantage
exploitative terms of employment
an exploitative film
exploitatively adverb

Examples of exploitative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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At that time, U.S. workers suffered exploitative labor practices and the decline of wages, while the industrial and commercial elite enjoyed the extreme concentration of wealth. Made By History, Time, 26 Mar. 2025 Primary sources of soft power and influence have been yielded, leaving a void to be filled by exploitative regimes in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and other geostrategic regions. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025 These tariffs are beginning to reverse years of exploitative trade practices by bad actors. Eric Axel, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2025 As a leader, be mindful to move away from harmful, exploitative tech. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exploitative

Word History

Etymology

exploit entry 2 + -ative

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exploitative was in 1879

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Cite this Entry

“Exploitative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploitative. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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