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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Florida’s legal reforms have saved consumers millions by cutting costs, specifically in the property and auto insurance sectors, while protecting small businesses from predatory legal practices. Michelle Smith, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 May 2025 However, China shows up offering false hope through predatory investments, infrastructure improvements, and deals on the spot. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 The sight of brown pelicans diving headfirst into the ocean in pursuit of a meal represents one of the distinctive visual images of the California coast, their dramatic flight the highlight of a predatory mission. Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 The airy golden flowerheads of dill plants are packed with thousands of tiny flowers that support a diversity of predatory insects including syrphids, parasitoid wasps, lacewings, and ladybeetles. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predatory

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of predatory was in 1589

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predatory. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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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