exploitative — Making unfair use of someone or something in order to gain profit or advantage
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: Making unfair use of someone or something in order to gain profit or advantage
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/
Example Sentences
- My cat's exploitative behavior—demanding treats while doing zero work—finally made sense after I studied capitalism.
- The company's exploitative wages sparked a massive workers' strike.
- She finally left the exploitative relationship that had drained her emotionally and financially.
exploitative
ADJECTIVE[/ɪkˈsplɔɪtətɪv/]
Making unfair use of someone or something in order to gain profit or advantage
The factory owner is exploitative, paying workers pennies for endless hours.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old French 'exploiter' (to work out, develop), from Latin 'explicare' meaning 'to unfold'; the meaning shifted from neutral 'development' to negative 'unfair use for profit'.
Breakdown
ex- (out) + plic/ploit- (to fold, from Latin plicare) + -ative (tending to be)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat's exploitative behavior—demanding treats while doing zero work—finally made sense after I studied capitalism.”
“The company's exploitative wages sparked a massive workers' strike.”
“She finally left the exploitative relationship that had drained her emotionally and financially.”
“Netflix's exploitative cliffhangers force me to binge-watch until 3 AM every single time.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.