predators

noun

plural of predator
as in vampires
a person who habitually preys upon others measures taken to protect minors against sexual predators

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of predators Known as the Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place gets its name from English buccaneer-cum-naturalist William Dampier, who was overcome by the bay’s sheer abundance and the size of the marine predators during a visit in 1699. — Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026 These top predators require large home ranges to live and hunt in, about 200 square miles (518 square kilometers) for males and 75 square miles (194 square kilometers) for females, so space is a scarce resource. — Timothy Randhir, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 The apex predators were extirpated in the state in the 1920s, beginning to naturally recolonize their native digs only 15 years ago. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 This is in stark contrast to more plainly colored moths, for example, which are the preferred prey of many airborne predators. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026 The transition from tadpole to juvenile frog is never easy — legs sprout, tails shrink and lungs develop for a life on land, all while being hunted by fish and other predators. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 What could pose an even deadlier threat than the apex predators of the Congo River Basin are the diseases that crop up in a myriad of places. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026 The actor appears in the film as one of the predators caught by Pattinson’s Chris Hansen. — Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026 Perverted Justice operatives found alleged predators in online chat rooms and would reel them in, eventually asking them to meet. — Samantha Bergeson, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predators
  1. vampires
  2. sharks
  3. vultures
  4. wolves
  5. users
Noun
  • The mayor is missing, the mafia is involved, a mad scientist rules the basement and all the prostitutes are vampires.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ghosts have gone more mainstream than vampires, no longer grouped with the other weird freaks— the zombies and the werewolves, that paranormal genre once ascribed only to lovers of the macabre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of vampires
Noun
  • In the video, Ramsey dons her dive gear in the ocean as she is circled by a dozen sharks.
    — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026
  • They’re protected from sharks by all the kelp growth in that spot, explained a volunteer docent who also shared that the beach’s live cam gets rather steamy in January.
    — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of sharks
Noun
  • Families can learn about slugs, spiders, vultures and more during Creepy Critters Month at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, a park district news release said.
    — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
  • In March a whale corpse was found floating in San Francisco Bay, seagulls perched on top like vultures at carrion.
    — Ainslie Cruickshank, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of vultures
Noun
  • The program also provides money for nonlethal equipment to deter wolves, such as electric fences with bright flags.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Ajon [Singh] talked a lot about that fable of the two wolves.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of wolves
Noun
  • Organizations must also prioritize educating all users, from classroom teachers and administrative staff to senior leadership, on their roles.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Many of their users describe feeling real grief when an app is updated or withdrawn.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of users

Browse Nearby Words

predator
predators
predatory
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Cite this Entry

“Predators.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predators. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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