predatory
adjective
pred·a·to·ry
ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē 
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
Abby from Weyauwega bore witness to those predatory instincts when her dog caught sight of a squirrel in her garden.
—
Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Here are a few policy changes that could make a real difference:
Implementing a national usury cap on interest rates, including payday loans, would protect vulnerable borrowers from predatory lending practices.
—Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The circular dots found near the center of the fossil indicate that a predatory marine reptile called a mosasaur took some bites of it.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025
The New York Times previously reported that Trump’s commutation thwarted an ongoing effort by prosecutors to negotiate a cooperation deal with Braun that would have freed him from prison in exchange for his offering information about other predatory lenders for a criminal investigation.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
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Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Here are a few policy changes that could make a real difference:
Implementing a national usury cap on interest rates, including payday loans, would protect vulnerable borrowers from predatory lending practices.
—Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
The circular dots found near the center of the fossil indicate that a predatory marine reptile called a mosasaur took some bites of it.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Apr. 2025
The New York Times previously reported that Trump’s commutation thwarted an ongoing effort by prosecutors to negotiate a cooperation deal with Braun that would have freed him from prison in exchange for his offering information about other predatory lenders for a criminal investigation.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Cite this Entry
“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predatory. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predatory
adjective
pred·a·to·ry
ˈpred-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-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
1
: inclined or intended to injure competitors by unfair means
subject to antitrust liability for predatory conduct—National Law Journal
National Law Journalpredatory 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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