as in rapacious
living by killing and eating other animals
hawks are predatory and pose a danger to rabbits and other pets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 predatory
Parsley’s greenish-yellow flowers attract pollinators and predatory insects that feast on pepper plants' pests.
—
Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
The efforts have received backing from groups like the National Independent Venue Association, which has for years voiced criticism toward the predatory ticket resale market and resellers who get tickets over actual music fans, only to list them for significant markups.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
The bulk of these predatory lawsuits are filed by a small number of serial litigants and a handful of law firms, including San Diego firm Potter Handy and Manning Law in Orange County.
—Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
The bulk of these predatory lawsuits are filed by a small number of serial litigants and a handful of law firms, including San Diego firm Potter Handy and Manning Law in Orange County.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
The efforts have received backing from groups like the National Independent Venue Association, which has for years voiced criticism toward the predatory ticket resale market and resellers who get tickets over actual music fans, only to list them for significant markups.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2026
The bulk of these predatory lawsuits are filed by a small number of serial litigants and a handful of law firms, including San Diego firm Potter Handy and Manning Law in Orange County.
—Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
The bulk of these predatory lawsuits are filed by a small number of serial litigants and a handful of law firms, including San Diego firm Potter Handy and Manning Law in Orange County.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predatory
Adjective
-
His reconstruction drive intends to normalize this political reality and the pursuit of unrestrained, rapacious fossil fuel extractivism when climate change is intensifying.—
Nabil Salih,
Time,
4 Dec. 2025
-
The discomfort that arises in watching Perfidia rat on her comrades or Lockjaw proclaim his rapacious desire for Black girls courses through the finale.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
That was a fun one, with both teams staying aggressive throughout the match.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
The bounce off of Kamada may have been lucky, but Japan created its own luck with an aggressive second-half attack after Crysencio Summerville’s goal in the 64th minute put it in a deficit.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Other fatal skydiving crashes in Missouri Sunday’s crash was at least the fourth deadly skydiving incident in Missouri since 1998.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
After personally looking over the wreckage of the deadliest skydiving plane crash of the decade on a bright June day, Jennifer Homendy with the National Transportation Safety Board said things must change.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
It’s embedded in the lore of the city — the breakout pass, the bounding leap, the midair double clutch, the ferocious snarl.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
-
The outcome caps one of California’s most ferocious congressional primaries, a contest that reflected the broader struggle between the Democratic Party’s moderate and progressive wings.—
Mathew Miranda
June 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Threading the needle On June 15, the Twins were 36-35, just a half-game out of the AL’s third wild-card spot.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
There are more than 20,000 UFC fans on the Ellipse of the White House, and nearly all of them went wild when Diego Lopes took down Steve Garcia in the second round of the first fight.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
What begins as a desperate family bonding trip rapidly devolves into savage violence and brutal psychological warfare.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
-
Their twiggy legs and bony frames exposed in bathing suits, the kids do indeed look extra vulnerable within the film’s savage landscape.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predatory. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
