predatory

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

|Updated on: 15 Jun 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

Others who are in really dire straits might seek out a payday loan, but those are woefully predatory options — so much so that Google finally decided to ban those ads from lenders on its search engine.

— refinery29.com, "5 Things To Do When You're Hit With An Unexpected Expense," 7 June 2018
Liverpool were soon on level terms though, as Mane showed predatory instincts in the box to flick home Lovren's header to equalise.

— SI.com, "Twitter Reacts as Real Madrid Claim 13th European Crown With Bale Heroics in 3-1 Liverpool Win," 26 May 2018
Hammerhead flatworms—so named for their weird, broad heads—are predatory critters that feast on earthworms and, sometimes, on one another.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Hammerhead Flatworms Have Been Quietly Invading France for Two Decades," 26 May 2018
In big groups, those moderators have a huge workload and enormous responsibility, dealing with everything from suicidal members to predatory marketers.

— cat ferguson, The Verge, "Predatory behavior runs rampant in Facebook’s addiction support groups," 21 May 2018
Since revelations that the social media giant failed to protect customer data from predatory third parties, the news cycle has moved on.

— Bloomberg.com, "‘Short-Sighted’ Investors Slammed Over Facebook’s Rebound," 2 May 2018
This keeps the hundred or so wild bettongs and other native wildlife safe from predatory foxes and cats.

— National Geographic, "Meet Brian the Rescued 'Mini-Kangaroo'," 5 Apr. 2018
Her friends and family warned her about scams and predatory tactics.

— janelle okwodu, Vogue, "This Nigerian Stunner Taught Kindergarten—Now She Rules the Runways," 3 Apr. 2018
Nixon’s 5 o’clock shadow was his shadiness, his vulture eyes were his predatory nature, his nose was his intrusiveness.

— sarah boxer, The Atlantic, "Why Is Donald Trump So Hard to Caricature?," 10 Mar. 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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