Exploit typically means to use or take advantage of someone or something, often in a way that is unfair, harmful, or unjustified. Key senses and examples:
- Social/financial context: Exploiting someone means unfairly leveraging another person’s vulnerabilities or resources for personal gain (for example, taking advantage of someone's trust, time, or money).
- Power or position: Exploitation can involve using one’s authority or influence to benefit oneself at another's expense (such as exploiting workers or leveraging a position for personal gain).
- Ethical dimensions: Exploitation is generally framed as treating someone as a means to an end rather than as an end in themselves, often implying harm or manipulation.
Nuanced notes:
- In everyday language, “to exploit” can simply mean to make the best use of a resource or situation (a neutral or positive sense in some contexts, such as exploiting an opportunity). However, in moral, legal, or interpersonal contexts, it usually connotes unfairness or harm.
- The noun form “exploitation” refers to the act or process of exploiting, and is commonly used to describe systemic or ongoing patterns of unfair treatment (for instance, exploitation of labor).
If you want, I can tailor the explanation to a specific context (e.g., workplace, relationships, technology, or law) and provide examples that illustrate common pitfalls and clear red flags.
