A number of officious educators may be exploited (4)
I believe the answer is:
used
'be exploited' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'a number of officious educators' is the wordplay.
'USED' is hidden within the letters.
However, I'm not sure how this is indicated.
'may' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for used that I've seen before include "Not fresh" , "Of clothes or cars, second-hand" , "Brought into play" , "Utilised" , "Sued (anag.)" .)