exploitative

USAGE SUMMARY

'exploitative' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where a person or group takes advantage of another person or group for their own gain. For example, "The factory owners were accused of exploiting their workers with unfair wages and long working hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Davis asked him about exploitative bosses and slum landlords, Cameron claimed to be infuriated.

The Guardian

Are there other notable art couples, or is the usual pattern more one-sided and exploitative, or otherwise troubled?

The Guardian - Arts

Volunteering is shamefully expensive and can be exploitative.

The Guardian

The kafala (sponsorship) system makes it difficult to leave exploitative employers or leave the country, says Vogt, who has been able to talk to a handful of workers at Education City about their situation.

The Guardian

In the report published on Wednesday Acma found the station breached clause 6.1 of the code "which prohibits the broadcast of statements by identifiable persons without their consent" and clause 9.1 of the code, which prohibits treating people on air in a "highly demeaning or highly exploitative manner".

The Guardian

Labour's response must be similarly broad-based and bold: an entrepreneurial industrial policy that creates good jobs; a regional policy that helps blue-collar areas which have suffered the most; an immigration policy that stops the exploitative use of migrant labour; and active trade unions to protect the pay and conditions of workers.

The Guardian - Opinion

What do you make of a ban on "exploitative" zero-hours contracts?

The Guardian - Opinion

As the GLA admits, the fines for exploitative employers have been too low to be a deterrent: if an employer makes an annual profit of £100,000 and pays a fine of £500 for breaking GLA rules, he may well carry on regardless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Police resources should be channelled into dealing with exploitative situations in sex work".

The Guardian

In any case, that some women choose to pose for page three doesn't make it any less objectifying or exploitative in the eyes of others.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's about two best friends, one Jewish, during the Nazi occupation of Denmark, and it's extraordinary; honest and wise without being sentimental or exploitative.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "exploitative", ensure you can clearly identify who is benefiting and who is being disadvantaged. Provide concrete examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid casually labeling situations as "exploitative" without providing evidence. Ensure your assessment is based on factual analysis rather than emotional reaction. Do a factual check on your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "exploitative" modifies nouns, describing something that takes unfair advantage of someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in describing unethical behavior or systems that unfairly benefit one party at the expense of another. Examples include "exploitative labor practices" or "exploitative business models".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "exploitative" is a powerful term used to describe situations where unfair advantage is taken, often resulting in harm or disadvantage to one party. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, predominantly in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "exploitative", ensure clarity in identifying both the beneficiary and the disadvantaged party to avoid unsubstantiated claims. Related terms like "abusive", "unfair", and "oppressive" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. By understanding its proper usage, you can effectively communicate ethical concerns and advocate for fairness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predatory

Implies seeking to exploit or victimize others, highlighting the aggressive nature of the exploitation.

abusive

Refers to actions that inflict harm or mistreatment, often involving power imbalance, similar to exploitative but emphasizing harm.

unscrupulous

Lacking moral principles; not honest or fair, similar to exploitative by focusing on lack of ethics.

unfair

Highlights the lack of justice and equity in a situation, differing from exploitative by not necessarily implying active advantage-taking.

oppressive

Describes the exertion of unjust authority or power, akin to exploitative but stressing the weight of dominance.

manipulative

Focuses on skillful control or influence of others for one's own advantage, a common tactic in exploitative relationships.

parasitic

Draws a comparison to organisms that live off and harm their hosts, emphasizing the one-sided benefit.

opportunistic

Taking advantage of opportunities without regard for principles, often resembling exploitation in specific cases.

self-serving

Primarily concerned with one's own advantage, often leading to exploitative behaviors.

detrimental

Causing harm or damage, the consequences of exploitative behaviours.

FAQs

How can I use "exploitative" in a sentence?

You can use "exploitative" to describe systems, relationships, or practices that unfairly take advantage of others. For example, "The company's labor practices were deemed "exploitative" by the workers' union".

What are some alternatives to saying "exploitative"?

Depending on the context, you could use "abusive", "unfair", or "oppressive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a situation "exploitative"?

A situation is "exploitative" when one party benefits unfairly at the expense of another, often due to an imbalance of power or resources. This involves taking advantage of someone's vulnerability for personal gain.

Is "exploitative" always a negative term?

Yes, "exploitative" carries a strong negative connotation. It implies unethical behavior and unjust treatment, indicating a moral condemnation of the described action or system.