Definition of predatorynext
as in rapacious
living by killing and eating other animals hawks are predatory and pose a danger to rabbits and other pets

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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 Golubski’s predatory behavior seemed to have been not so much an open secret as just open. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026 By operating without the high overhead of physical branches at every corner, Laplanche argued that fintech firms can achieve profitability without relying on the predatory fees that traditional banks use to support their legacy infrastructure. Diane Brady, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026 In the overnight viral sensations who become brands and try to hawk a predatory meme coin. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026 Skuas, large predatory birds from the North Atlantic, have been referred to as seahawks as well. Jenna Ahart, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predatory
Adjective
  • But then there is the rapacious Bavarian and national media, for whom negativity about Bayern is big business, and a dressing room always loaded with forthright personalities and egos.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Carville’s theory was and remains controversial—his critics point to the lasting damage Trump has inflicted everywhere since his rapacious return to office while the Democrats have looked on haplessly.
    Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The recent turmoil is testing some of the foundations that powered private credit’s rapid growth, including aggressive underwriting, highly leveraged middle-market borrowers and the promise of stable capital insulated from bank-style runs.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Belt-Stubblefield did not take aggressive action and tried to walk away.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • These food-crops also benefit from the work performed by predaceous insects that control populations of crop-eating invertebrates.
    Bruce Beehler, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Biological control: Parasitic wasps, predaceous beetles and birds assist in lowering sawfly populations.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Villegas pushed for the original measure after dangerous speeding and red-light running by raptorial tow drivers ended in a nearly catastrophic crash in his ward that saw a bus that had been hit by a tow truck plow through a storefront.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Damsel bugs are slender and tan-colored and have slightly raptorial front legs.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2023
Adjective
  • Washington — The House of Representatives is set to consider whether a collision avoidance system that supporters say could have prevented last year’s deadly midair collision near Washington should be required on every plane in the US.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 24 Feb. 2026
  • That pause came six days after yet another judge vacated Williams’ lengthy sentence for the deadly 2001 shooting on the Santee campus, a decision that could clear the way for his release.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • It has been loved onto the screen by the ferocious talent of MK, the exceptional executives at HBO and the world-class production team in Wolf Studios Wales, where Bad Wolf has filmed every season.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Luna is in your strict 10th house, motivating ferocious Mars in your committed 6th house.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Bozeman started 33 of 34 regular-season games plus two AFC wild-card playoff games during his tenure with the Chargers.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
  • The temperature also drops, wild animals transition to their nocturnal routines and stillness fills the air.
    Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Watching Marcia Gay Harden embark on a savage killing spree was not on my cinematic bingo card for 2026.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Wade Wilson confessed to the savage murders of two women, yet even that brutality failed to repel admirers.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predatory. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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