2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are explicit about something, you speak about it very openly and clearly. □ [+ about ] He was explicit about his intention to overhaul the party's internal voting system. ● ex|plic|it|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She's writing explicitly about old age.
ex|plode ◆◇◇ / I ksploʊ d/ (explodes , exploding , exploded )
1 VERB If an object such as a bomb explodes or if someone or something explodes it, it bursts loudly and with great force, often causing damage or injury. □ [V ] They were clearing up when the second bomb exploded. □ [V n] A school bus was hit by gunfire which exploded the fuel tank.
2 VERB If someone explodes , they express strong feelings suddenly and violently. □ [V + with ] Do you fear that you'll burst into tears or explode with anger in front of her? □ [V with quote] 'What happened!' I exploded. □ [V ] George caught the look and decided that Bess had better leave before she exploded.
3 VERB If something explodes , it increases suddenly and rapidly in number or intensity. □ [V + to ] The population explodes to 40,000 during the tourist season. □ [V ] Investment by Japanese firms has exploded.
4 VERB If someone explodes a theory or myth, they prove that it is wrong or impossible. □ [V n] Electricity privatisation has exploded the myth of cheap nuclear power. USAGE explode or blow up?
If someone destroys a building with a bomb, you say that they blow
it up
. Don’t say ‘
ex|ploit ◆◇◇ (exploits , exploiting , exploited ) The verb is pronounced / I ksplɔ I t/. The noun is pronounced /e ksplɔ I t/. 1 VERB If you say that someone is exploiting you, you think that they are treating you unfairly by using your work or ideas and giving you very little in return. □ [V n] Critics claim he exploited black musicians for personal gain. □ [V -ed] …the plight of the exploited sugar cane workers. ● ex|ploi|ta|tion /e ksplɔ I te I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ Extra payments should be made to protect the interests of the staff and prevent exploitation.
2 VERB If you say that someone is exploiting a situation, you disapprove of them because they are using it to gain an advantage for themselves, rather than trying to help other people or do what is right. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V n] The government and its opponents compete to exploit the troubles to their advantage. ● ex|ploi|ta|tion N‑SING □ [+ of ] …the exploitation of the famine by local politicians.
3 VERB If you exploit something, you use it well, and achieve something or gain an advantage from it. □ [V n] Cary is hoping to exploit new opportunities in Europe.
4 VERB To exploit resources or raw materials means to develop them and use them for industry or commercial activities. □ [V n] I think we're being very short sighted in not exploiting our own coal. ● ex|ploi|ta|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the planned exploitation of its potential oil and natural gas reserves.
5 N‑COUNT [usu pl, with poss] If you refer to someone's exploits , you mean the brave, interesting, or amusing things that they have done. □ His wartime exploits were later made into a film. SYNONYMS exploit VERB 1
abuse: He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position.
take advantage of: She took advantage of him even after they were divorced.
use: Why do I have the feeling I'm being used again?
ill-treat: They said they had not been ill-treated in captivity. NOUN 5
feat: This seems to me an impressive feat.
adventure: I set off for a new adventure on the first day of the year.
stunt: In a bold promotional stunt, he smashed his car into a passing truck.
deed: His heroic deeds were celebrated in every corner of India.
ex|ploit|able / I ksplɔ I təb ə l/
1 ADJ If something is exploitable , it can be used or developed to make a profit. □ Exploitable raw materials were in short supply. □ Of 27 new wells drilled, 16 have proved exploitable.
2 ADJ An exploitable situation can be used by someone to their own advantage. □ Your hope was I'd make some exploitable mistake.
ex|ploita|tive / I ksplɔ I tət I v/ ADJ If you describe something as exploitative , you disapprove of it because it treats people unfairly by using their work or ideas for its own advantage, and giving them very little in return. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The expansion of Western capitalism incorporated the Third World into an exploitative world system.
ex|ploit|er / I ksplɔ I tə r / (exploiters ) N‑COUNT If you refer to people as exploiters , you disapprove of them because they exploit other people in an unfair and cruel way. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
ex|plora|tory / I ksplɒ rətri, [AM ] -plɔː rətɔːri/ ADJ Exploratory actions are done in order to discover something or to learn the truth about something. □ Exploratory surgery revealed her liver cancer.
ex|plore ◆◇◇ / I ksplɔː r / (explores , exploring , explored )