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
During a recent appearance on VladTV, the iconic video vixen opened up about her experience touring the country at 14 years old and how the period exposed her to predatory behavior from associates of 2 Live Crew and other celebrities.
—
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Agitated, anxious honeybees, on the other hand, responded with pessimism when researchers shook them to simulate a predatory attack.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
There were also large predatory marine reptiles called ichthyosaurs about 246 million years ago that grew up to 13 feet and stalked the seas that covered up present day Nevada.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
Morrow’s predatory instinct comes out.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
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Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Agitated, anxious honeybees, on the other hand, responded with pessimism when researchers shook them to simulate a predatory attack.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
There were also large predatory marine reptiles called ichthyosaurs about 246 million years ago that grew up to 13 feet and stalked the seas that covered up present day Nevada.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
Morrow’s predatory instinct comes out.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 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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