EXPLOIT / EXPLORE

exploit:

To employ to the greatest possible advantage: exploit one's talents.  

To make use of selfishly or unethically: a country that exploited peasant labor. See synonims at manipulate.

To advertise; promote.

To put into action or use: actuate, apply, employ, exercise, implement, practice, use, utilize.

Idioms: avail oneself of, bring into play, bring to bear, make use of, put into practice, put to use. 

To take advantage of unfairly: abuse, impose, presume, use. See treat well/treat badly/treat.

To control to one's own advantage by artful or indirect means: maneuver, manipulate, play. See control/uncontrol, straight/bent.

explore:

v.tr. To investigate systematically; examine: explore every possibility.

To search into or travel in for the purpose of discovery: exploring outer space.

Medicine. To examine for diagnostic purposes.

v.intr. To make a careful examination or search: scientists who have been known to explore in this region of the earth. To go into or through for the purpose of making discoveries or acquiring information: delve, dig, inquire, investigate, look into, probe, reconnoiter, scout¹. See investigate.

Source: Answers.com