exploitive

adjective

ex·​ploit·​ive ik-ˈsplȯi-tiv How to pronounce exploitive (audio)
: exploitative

Examples of exploitive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
People who shoplift and engage in other criminal activity are criminals, not merely victims of an unfair and exploitive economic system. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2026 The business model itself is exploitive, Bhagrath said. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026 Or there was coercion that made exploitive use of legal procedures. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Mar. 2026 The viral post, first published Friday, has elicited strong denials from major delivery apps that have been the subjects of past scrutiny for exploitive worker policies. — Lauren Wilson, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exploitive

Word History

Etymology

exploit entry 2 + -ive

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exploitive was in 1858

Browse Nearby Words

exploiter
exploitive
exploration
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exploitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exploitive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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