predatory

adjective pred·a·to·ry \ ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē \

Definition of predatory

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

See predatory defined for English-language learners

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Examples of predatory in a Sentence

predatory acts of sexual violence
hawks are predatory and pose a danger to rabbits and other pets

Recent Examples of predatory from the Web

According to a study published in In Fisherman magazine, predatory fish — bass, in this case — feed most aggressively in the hour or two immediately after a major or minor.

— by jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "The moon matters to fish. Here’s why it matters to those of us who want to catch them," 17 Aug. 2017
However, as drought worsened in the south this year, thousands of farmers and laborers have been forced to take out loans from predatory lenders.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "Why These Farmers Are Protesting With Skulls," 8 Aug. 2017
Knoepfler has predicted the change will be a boon to predatory clinics.

— kelly servick, Science | AAAS, "The rise of unproven stem cell therapies turned this obscure scientist into an industry watchdog," 3 Aug. 2017
Webster has been an outspoken religious leader on social justice issues in Alabama, especially on the issue of predatory lending.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "Birmingham's First Presbyterian pastor plans to retire," 19 July 2017
Yes, there are a few predatory men, and they should be punished with the full force of the law, but the real crisis on campus isn’t criminal.

— david french, National Review, "Trump’s Education Department Takes on the Campus-Rape Lie," 17 July 2017
At the time, Ken Marsh from Alaska Department of Fish and Game told National Geographic that the attacks had all the markings of a predatory attack.

— sarah gibbens, National Geographic, "Why a Bear Attacked a Teen In His Sleep," 10 July 2017
Donald Trump is in office despite allegations of predatory behavior; Bill Cosby took his mistrial as a reason to swagger.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Kesha's Comeback Message: Love Thy Enemy," 6 July 2017
But unlike the conical teeth of modern crocodiles, Razana had serrated teeth that were even larger than those found on T. rex and other similarly sized predatory dinosaurs.

— ashley strickland, CNN, "Jurassic-era crocodiles had T. rex teeth," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predatory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of predatory

1589

predatory Synonyms

Synonyms

predaceous (or predacious), rapacious, raptorial

Related Words

carnivorous; aggressive, deadly, ferocious, fierce, savage, violent; untamed, wild

Near Antonyms

herbivorous, vegetarian; gentle, submissive, tame

PREDATORY Defined for English Language Learners

predatory

adjective

Definition of predatory for English Language Learners

: living by killing and eating other animals
: wrongly harming or using others for pleasure or profit

PREDATORY Defined for Kids

predatory

adjective pred·a·to·ry \ ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē \

Definition of predatory for Students

:living by killing and eating other animals

An owl is a predatory bird.

Law Dictionary

predatory

adjective pred·a·to·ry \ ˈpre-də-ˌtōr-ē \

legal Definition of predatory

1 :inclined or intended to injure competitors by unfair means

subject to antitrust liability for predatory conduct
—National 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

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Examples of predatory in a Sentence

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predatory Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

PREDATORY Defined for English Language Learners

predatory

Definition of predatory for English Language Learners

PREDATORY Defined for Kids

predatory

Definition of predatory for Students

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predatory

legal Definition of predatory

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