predatory

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

|Updated on: 10 Aug 2018

Examples: predatory in a Sentence

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

See predatory defined for kids

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

The United States accuses China of using predatory tactics in a push to supplant American technological dominance.

— Washington Post, "Analysis: Trade rocks already unstable US-China relations," 7 July 2018
The root of the conflict is the Trump administration's assertion that China has long used predatory tactics in a drive to supplant America's technological supremacy.

— author: paul wiseman, josh boakap, Anchorage Daily News, "US-China trade war elevates the risks to the global economy," 7 July 2018
The United States accuses China of using predatory tactics in a push to supplant U.S. technological dominance.

— NBC News, "China says it must 'counterattack' after U.S. tariff hike officially takes effect," 6 July 2018
The Trump administration has accused China of using predatory tactics in a lawless drive to overtake America’s technological supremacy.

— paul wiseman, The Seattle Times, "What you need to know about the upcoming U.S.-China tariffs," 2 July 2018
But homophobia here is still often expressed with predatory behavior, and Section 377 narrows channels for recourse.

— New York Times, "Gay in India, Where Progress Has Come Only With Risk," 2 June 2018
Meanwhile, there’s no sign so far that Mr. Xi is bending on IP theft or other predatory Chinese behavior.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Trump Lets ZTE Off the Hook," 14 May 2018
The article begins with an incident representative of Weinstein’s alleged predatory tactics.

— refinery29.com, "Ashley Judd Was a #MeToo Heroine Years Before the Movement Began: A Timeline," 2 May 2018
When the state is corrupt and predatory, the insurgents’ promise of religious justice can sound appealing.

— The Economist, "Jihadists are trying to take over the Sahel," 12 July 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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predatory Synonyms

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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predatory

Definition of predatory

Examples of predatory in a Sentence

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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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