exploitation

Using people or things unfairly for your own benefit.

• The law protects children from exploitation.
• Low wages can be a sign of exploitation.
• They campaigned against the exploitation of migrant workers.

How to use it: exploitation of someone/something (The report exposed the exploitation of young workers.)

Similar words: abuse, mistreatment

Common phrases: worker exploitation, sexual exploitation, exploitation of someone

Using something, such as land or resources, to gain money or another benefit.

• Oil exploitation brought money to the region.
• They opposed commercial exploitation of the forest.
• The plan allows careful exploitation of local resources.

How to use it: exploitation of something (The exploitation of mineral resources created jobs.)

Similar words: use, utilization

Common phrases: commercial exploitation, resource exploitation, exploitation of something, industrial exploitation

Taking away things or rights that someone should have, often by force.

• The law protects workers from exploitation.
• She lost her wages through exploitation by her employer.
• Migrants reported exploitation and threats at the factory.

How to use it: exploitation of someone (The report described the exploitation of migrant workers.)

Similar words: abuse, oppression

Common phrases: exploitation of workers, prevent exploitation