predatory

adjective

pred·​a·​to·​ry ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

a

: of, relating to, or practicing plunder or pillage

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

Synonyms of predatory

• rapacious
• aggressive
• predaceous
• raptorial
• deadly
• ferocious
• wild
• savage

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

Watch out for predatory practices, like APRs above 36%, and be wary of lenders that guarantee approval or demand an upfront payment in exchange for a loan. — Dan Avery,jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026

Hamilton's campaign used one of those former patients in an attack ad, and five days before Election Day that patient sued Marshall for allegedly charging a predatory interest rate. — Grace Hills, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026

Apple said its in-app payment system allows users to make secure transactions while protecting them from predatory tactics and fraud and that such safeguards that could potentially be lost when paying through alternative methods. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

In Plain Sight, multiple women accused Brand of predatory actions, ranging from abuse, assault, and rape. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for predatory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• feudatory
• gustatory

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

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