EXPLOIT Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'exploit' differ from other similar words?

The words achievement and feat are common synonyms of exploit . While all three words mean "a remarkable deed," exploit suggests an adventurous or heroic act. // his exploits as a spy

Q: When could 'achievement' be used to replace 'exploit'?

In some situations, the words achievement and exploit are roughly equivalent. However, achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty or opposition. // her achievements as a chemist

Q: When is it sensible to use 'feat' instead of 'exploit'?

The words feat and exploit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feat implies strength or dexterity or daring. // an acrobatic feat

exploit 1 of 2

verb

ik-ˈsplȯit

Definition of exploit next

as in to use

to take unfair advantage of the type of person who exploits a friend's good nature by constantly sponging off of him

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Relevance

as in to manipulate

to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means a politician more than willing to exploit any national tragedy for political gain

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as in to utilize

to put into action or service it will be a shame if you don't exploit your artistic talent to the fullest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exploit

2 of 2

noun

ˈek-ˌsplȯit

as in feat

an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness the fanciful exploits of the giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in thing

something done by someone once famed as an actor, John Wilkes Booth is now remembered for a single exploit, his assassination of Lincoln

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as in experience

an exciting or noteworthy event that one experiences firsthand a memoir recounting three decades of exploits as a roving foreign correspondent for TV news

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun exploit differ from other similar words?

The words achievement and feat are common synonyms of exploit. While all three words mean "a remarkable deed," exploit suggests an adventurous or heroic act.

his exploits as a spy

When could achievement be used to replace exploit?

In some situations, the words achievement and exploit are roughly equivalent. However, achievement implies hard-won success in the face of difficulty or opposition.

her achievements as a chemist

When is it sensible to use feat instead of exploit?

The words feat and exploit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, feat implies strength or dexterity or daring.

an acrobatic feat

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exploit

Verb

Governors, regulators and consumer advocates are challenging traditional profit guarantees and rate hikes, arguing monopoly utilities are exploiting a ‘broken’ 20th century model while households struggle with affordability. —

Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026 The film centers on a pickpocket who survives by exploiting the desires of closeted men, until his detached worldview is upended when one of his marks returns seeking closeness rather than settling scores. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 May 2026

Noun

The exploit took five days to discover, but researchers noted that it could not have been pulled off by Anthropic’s Mythos alone and also required the expertise of its human hackers. —

Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 17 May 2026 Capability-specific oversight of frontier models that can autonomously generate cyber exploits or Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN)-relevant content—the one area where federal action is genuinely needed—is where the federal conversation is not productively focused. —

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exploit

Verb

While Marner avoided an abysmal 2025-26 season, the Leafs are expected to use the first-overall pick in the upcoming draft on Penn State star Gavin McKenna, the kind of player who should be able to help right the ship in a hurry.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Drake addresses Kendrick Lamar feud with fiery tracks The Grammy-winning rapper also used his latest musical project to reignite his feud with fellow emcee Kendrick Lamar.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 May 2026

Definition of use

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exploding

exploit

exploitable

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Style

“Exploit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exploit. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of exploit

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