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Exploitation

eks-ploy-TAY-shun /ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/

nC1GRETOEFL

neutralnegative

The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work or resources; the action of making use of and benefiting from resources.

Often carries a negative connotation, implying unfair or unethical use of a person, situation, or resource for selfish gain. It can also be neutral when referring to the utilization of resources.

The story behind the word. The word 'exploitation' comes from the Old French 'exploiter,' meaning 'to perform, achieve, or make use of.' This, in turn, derived from the Latin 'explicare,' meaning 'to unfold, display, or explain.' The sense of 'making use of' evolved, and by the 18th century, it began to acquire the negative connotation of using someone or something unfairly for one's own profit.

Word relationships

abuse: Often implies physical or emotional harm, beyond just unfair use.
manipulation: Influencing someone unfairly, often for personal gain, but not necessarily through labor or resources.
utilization: Neutral term for making use of something.

protection: The action of protecting someone or something.
fair treatment: Treating someone justly and equitably.

Word family

exploit (v): To make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource); to use (a person or situation) in an unfair or selfish way.
exploitative (adj): Making use of a situation or treating others unfairly in order to benefit from their efforts or resources.

Collocations

labor exploitation
sexual exploitation
child exploitation
exploitation of resources
media exploitation

Example sentences

"The factory was accused of the exploitation of its workers, paying them meager wages for long hours." Labor practices.
"The documentary was criticized for the exploitation of its subjects' tragic stories for entertainment value." Media ethics.
"The careful exploitation of natural resources is crucial for sustainable development." Resource management (neutral context).

Memory hook

Think of 'EX-PLOIT' as 'EX-PLUGGING' someone's efforts for your own 'PROFIT'. EX-PLUG for PROFIT

When not to use

Avoid using 'exploitation' in a neutral context if the negative connotation is not intended, especially when referring to people. For resources, 'utilization' or 'development' might be more neutral.

Fun facts

The term 'exploitation' is central to Marxist theory, referring to the capitalist system's extraction of surplus value from workers' labor.
In a neutral sense, 'exploitation' can refer to the development of natural resources, such as 'oil exploitation.'