exploit
/ɛksˈplɔɪt/ · ex.ploit
noun
- A heroic or extraordinary deed. The first trek to the summit of Mount Everest was a stunning exploit.
- An achievement. The team's exploit in winning the championship was celebrated nationwide.
- A program or technique that exploits a vulnerability in other software. The security expert discovered a malicious exploit in the company's software.
verb
- To use for one's own advantage. She exploited her connections to get the job.
- To forcibly deprive someone of something to which she or he has a natural right. Materialistic monsters who exploit 'kind' folks will not have good outcomes, no matter how much comforts were ill-gained.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The word 'exploit' has been used in various contexts, including literature and politics, to describe acts of heroism and villainy alike. For example, in Shakespeare's 'Henry IV, Part 1', the character Hotspur is described as a 'great exploit' for his bravery in battle.