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

This bill would remove the power of local communities to ban video slot and poker machines, a power that dozens of communities across the state are successfully using to protect their residents from predatory gambling. —Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

And when Martha slips into costume designer Brenna Maienschein’s form-fitting leopard-print dress, her predatory strategy to seduce Nick as the final flank maneuver against her husband becomes clear. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Limiting exclusive ticketing contracts, requiring Live Nation to pay the equivalent of four days’ of revenue to the states, and opening Ticketmaster to predatory resale platforms is neither accountability nor progress. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Mar. 2026

Yellow jackets are predatory, 1 1/2 inch long wasps with alternating black and yellow bands on the abdomen that live throughout North America. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 7 Mar. 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
• extempore
• feudatory

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