Meaning & use
exploits
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“exploits” is a form of “exploit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Bold, exciting, and often risky actions or adventures that someone has done.
Grammar: Almost always plural; the singular 'exploit' exists but is much rarer.
Patterns
- someone's exploits in something
- the exploits of someone
- recount someone's exploits
The book recounts the explorer's exploits in the Arctic.
She entertained us with stories of her teenage exploits.
His sporting exploits made him famous across the country.
verbtransitivedisapproving
Uses someone or something unfairly to gain an advantage for yourself.
Grammar: Takes an object: companies exploit workers. The subject is the person or system that benefits.
Patterns
- exploit someone
- exploit something
- exploit someone for something
Some employers exploit young workers by paying very low wages.
The company was accused of exploiting its customers' trust.
These gangs exploit people who have no legal status.
Word forms
| base form | exploit |
|---|---|
| third person singular | exploits |
| past tense | exploited |
| past participle | exploited |
| -ing form | exploiting |
| singular noun | exploit |
Common combinations
- daring exploits
- The film celebrates the daring exploits of a wartime pilot.
- recount someone's exploits
- Grandpa loved to recount his youthful exploits.
- sporting exploits
- Her sporting exploits won her a place in the national team.
- exploit a weakness
- Hackers exploit a weakness in the software.
- exploit workers
- The report says the factory exploits workers from overseas.
Synonyms and how they differ
- adventures
- Neutral and simply describes exciting experiences; 'exploits' often suggests daring or even reckless bravery.
- deeds
- More formal and focuses on what was achieved; 'exploits' stresses excitement and risk.
- abuse
- As a verb, closer to treating someone cruelly; 'exploit' stresses taking unfair advantage.
Opposites
Word family
- exploit noun
- a single daring act or adventure
- exploitation noun
- the unfair use of people or resources
- exploitative adjective
- treating people unfairly for profit
- exploiter noun
- a person who takes unfair advantage of others
Commonly confused: exploits or explode?
exploits vs explode
'Explode' means to burst or blow up; 'exploit' means to use someone unfairly or to describe daring deeds.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'exploits' correctly as a plural noun meaning daring adventures?
Choose one answer.
'His exploits at sea' is a plural noun meaning daring adventures. The other options use 'exploits' as a verb, and the last one is also grammatically wrong because a plural verb cannot follow 'chemicals' here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exploits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.