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Added 5 October 2026

exploit

/ˈɛksplɔɪt/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about exploit at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A heroic or extraordinary deed.
An achievement.
The first trek to the summit of Mount Everest was a stunning exploit.
A program or technique that takes advantage of a vulnerability in other software.

verb

To use (something) to someone's advantage, such as one's own benefit or a society's benefit.
to exploit natural resources in a sustainable way
To make unfair use of someone else's labor, person, or property to one's own advantage.
Materialistic people who exploit others will come to a bad end.

Origin

From Old French esploit (noun), esploitier (verb).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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