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
To listen to those who reject modern medicine is to realize that their worries are far closer to a general distrust of authority than to anything related to p-hacking or the predatory behavior of academic journals.
—
WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Such critics also alleged that because the platform prioritized anonymity, users who had been banned for egregious or predatory behavior were able to return over and over again.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
Following the forced displacement of almost one million Palestinian people, also known as Nakba, a series of predatory legislation, property laws, and mass incarceration turned Palestinian neighbourhoods into Israeli settlements and Palestinian people into refugees or prisoners.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 6 Nov. 2023
The overwhelming majority of them involved wolves with rabies, and only 67 were considered to be predatory.
—Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 9 Nov. 2023
The conversation around predatory business practices in hip-hop has been ongoing and jarring.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 3 Nov. 2023
Now the former insider is set to tell Congress about the predatory behavior.
—Jeff Horwitz, WSJ, 3 Nov. 2023
Following the forced displacement of almost one million Palestinian people, also known as Nakba, a series of predatory legislation, property laws, and mass incarceration turned Palestinian neighborhoods into Israeli settlements and Palestinian people into refugees or prisoners.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 1 Nov. 2023
Some of the issues at stake are pollution, consumer protections from predatory lenders, and workers’ rights.
—Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 27 Oct. 2023
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WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Such critics also alleged that because the platform prioritized anonymity, users who had been banned for egregious or predatory behavior were able to return over and over again.
—Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
Following the forced displacement of almost one million Palestinian people, also known as Nakba, a series of predatory legislation, property laws, and mass incarceration turned Palestinian neighbourhoods into Israeli settlements and Palestinian people into refugees or prisoners.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 6 Nov. 2023
The overwhelming majority of them involved wolves with rabies, and only 67 were considered to be predatory.
—Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 9 Nov. 2023
The conversation around predatory business practices in hip-hop has been ongoing and jarring.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 3 Nov. 2023
Now the former insider is set to tell Congress about the predatory behavior.
—Jeff Horwitz, WSJ, 3 Nov. 2023
Following the forced displacement of almost one million Palestinian people, also known as Nakba, a series of predatory legislation, property laws, and mass incarceration turned Palestinian neighborhoods into Israeli settlements and Palestinian people into refugees or prisoners.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 1 Nov. 2023
Some of the issues at stake are pollution, consumer protections from predatory lenders, and workers’ rights.
—Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling, The New Republic, 27 Oct. 2023
See More
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
Dictionary Entries Near predatory
Cite this Entry
“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predatory. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on predatory
Nglish: Translation of predatory for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of predatory for Arabic Speakers
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