exploitation
pronunciation
How to pronounce exploitation in British English:
UK [ˌeksplɔɪˈteɪʃn]
How to pronounce exploitation in American English:
US [ˌɛksplɔɪˈteʃən]
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- Noun:
- the act of making some area of land or water more profitable or productive or useful
- an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
Word Origin
- exploitation (n.)
- 1803, "productive working" of something, a positive word among those who used it first, though regarded as a Gallicism, from French exploitation, noun of action from exploiter (see exploit (v.)). Bad sense developed 1830s-50s, in part from influence of French socialist writings (especially Saint Simon), also perhaps influenced by use of the word in U.S. anti-slavery writing; and exploitation was hurled in insult at activities it once had crowned as praise. It follows from this science [conceived by Saint Simon] that the tendency of the human race is from a state of antagonism to that of an universal peaceful association -- from the dominating influence of the military spirit to that of the industriel one; from what they call l'exploitation de l'homme par l'homme to the exploitation of the globe by industry. ["Quarterly Review," April & July 1831]
Example
- 1. Often accompanied by allegations of colonial exploitation by the multinationals .
- 2. This daily dilemma is labeled the tradeoff between exploration and exploitation .
- 3. This could have dramatic effects on both commercial shipping and hydrocarbon exploitation .
- 4. Sustainable exploitation is not easy and it will notalways work .
- 5. The traffickers are profiting through their exploitation of others but at great risk to a company 's reputation .