to treat a person or situation as an opportunity to gain an advantage for yourself

to treat somebody unfairly by making them work and not giving them much in return

What is being done to stop employers from exploiting young people?

The workers are ruthlessly exploited by their employers.

to use something well in order to gain as much from it as possible

She fully exploits the humour of her role in the play.

The company has been successful in exploiting new technology to the full.

to develop or use something for business or industry

No minerals have yet been exploited in Antarctica.

countries exploiting the rainforests for hardwood

Companies are moving in to exploit the natural resources of the area.

LEARNit Dictionary