predatory

adjective

pred·​a·​to·​ry ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce predatory (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or practicing plunder, pillage, or rapine
b
: inclined or intended to injure or exploit others for personal gain or profit
predatory pricing practices
2
: living by predation : predaceous
also : adapted to predation

Examples of predatory in a Sentence

Hawks are predatory and may pose a danger to rabbits and other small pets. The company made millions for investors but clearly engaged in predatory lending practices.
Recent Examples on the Web The lack of accessible LLC ownership information should not give bad actors cover to shield themselves from liability and profit from predatory business models. Suzanne Dershowitz, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Orcas Have Social Trends Like Us, And This One Could Get Dangerous For Boats A Changing Ecosystem Understanding orca's predatory behaviors will help experts know how to conserve marine ecosystems and adapt to new conservation strategies. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 This legislation was needed urgently last year, as the 2023 lending downturn sparked an uptick in unregulated alternative lending, much of which is predatory, hiding exorbitant interest rates, some as high as 358%, behind promises of fast cash. Carolina Martinez, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Owner-operators bear a disproportionate share of the risks and costs: fuel, maintenance, and insurance all fall on the driver, and lease agreements are often predatory. Emily Gogolak, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Apple is wary of how predatory payment techniques, mobile ransomware and consumer spyware could be focused on the iPhone if it’s deemed to be more vulnerable or less secure. David Phelan, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Brown’s death was an example of a leopard seal’s capacity to display predatory behavior toward humans. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 The predatory nature of these killer whales has ocean enthusiasts like Roop torn – sad to see the dolphins slaughtered but glad the orcas are hanging around for up-close, intimate encounters. Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 More than 80 years ago on the pristine waters of Lake Päijänne in Finland, a fisherman named Lauri watched from his boat as large predatory fish attacked schools of minnows. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of predatory was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near predatory

Cite this Entry

“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predatory. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

predatory

adjective
pred·​a·​to·​ry ˈpred-ə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce predatory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
1
: of, relating to, or marked by robbing or using others for personal gain
predatory raids
2
: living by predation
predatory animals

Legal Definition

predatory

adjective
pred·​a·​to·​ry ˈpre-də-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce predatory (audio)
1
: inclined or intended to injure competitors by unfair means
subject to antitrust liability for predatory conductNational Law Journal
predatory bidding
2
: inclined or intended to injure or exploit others for personal gain or profit
predatory loans
3
: of or relating to a sexual predator
predatory assault

More from Merriam-Webster on predatory

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