sexploitation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, journalistic, critical discourse
Quick answer
What does “sexploitation” mean?
The commercial exploitation of people (often women) by emphasizing or exaggerating their sexuality, especially in films, media, or advertising.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The commercial exploitation of people (often women) by emphasizing or exaggerating their sexuality, especially in films, media, or advertising.
Any practice, industry, or system that profits from the explicit or sensationalized use of sexual themes, often to the detriment of those involved, blurring lines between empowerment and objectification.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and usage are identical. The concept and critical term are used similarly in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally negative in both. Strongly associated with critiques of media, film history (especially 1970s 'sexploitation films'), and certain music or advertising industries.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US media discourse, given Hollywood's central role in film industry critiques, but the term is recognized and used in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “sexploitation” in a Sentence
[noun] of sexploitationaccused of sexploitationan era of sexploitationthe sexploitation [genre/film]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sexploitation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The documentary argues that the studio sexploited its young actors.
- The tabloids are often accused of sexploiting personal tragedies.
American English
- The network was criticized for sexploiting the contestants' vulnerabilities.
- He argued that the music video sexploits female dancers.
adverb
British English
- The scene was shot exploitatively, leaning into sexploitative tropes. (Note: 'sexploitatively' is extremely rare)
American English
- The ad was designed sexploitatively to generate controversy. (Note: 'sexploitatively' is extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- It was a low-budget sexploitation flick from the 1970s.
- The magazine's sexploitation tactics were widely condemned.
American English
- The film is a classic of the sexploitation genre.
- They used a sexploitation angle to sell the product.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in critical analysis of marketing strategies: 'The campaign was criticised for veering into sexploitation.'
Academic
Used in film studies, media studies, gender studies, and cultural criticism as a technical term for a specific film genre or media practice.
Everyday
Very rare. Used by individuals engaged in media critique or feminist discourse.
Technical
A defined subgenre in film history and criticism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sexploitation”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sexploitation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sexploitation”
- Misspelling as 'sexploition'.
- Using it as a neutral term for 'sexually explicit content'.
- Confusing it with 'sexual exploitation' in a human trafficking context, though they are related.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Sexual exploitation' is a broader, often legal/social term for abuse of power for sexual purposes (e.g., trafficking). 'Sexploitation' is a specific cultural/media term referring to the commercial use of sensationalized sexuality, especially in films.
Almost never. It is a critical term. Some might reclaim it nostalgically for a film genre, but it still carries the core meaning of exploitation for profit.
No. It is a low-frequency word. It is essential for students of film/media/gender studies but is rarely used in general everyday conversation.
It is most commonly used as a noun (e.g., 'a film full of sexploitation') or a noun adjunct in compound nouns (e.g., 'sexploitation film'). The related verb 'to sexploit' and adjective 'sexploitative' exist but are less frequent.
The commercial exploitation of people (often women) by emphasizing or exaggerating their sexuality, especially in films, media, or advertising.
Sexploitation is usually informal, journalistic, critical discourse in register.
Sexploitation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SEX + exploitation = SEXPLOITATION. It's exploiting sex for profit.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE IS EXPLOITATION; THE BODY IS A COMMODITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'sexploitation' MOST appropriately used?