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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Recent Examples of predatory
In February 2023, the brokerage was sued by four former female agents who each described a yearslong pattern of predatory behavior by two marquee eXp agents.
—
Debra Kamin, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Luckily, this particular bear in the viral TikTok video, while unnerving in its closeness, did not exhibit signs of aggression or predatory behavior, ultimately leaving the hiker alone after stopping by a stream.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The interest rate on debt covered by the SCRA is capped at 6%, while the rate on interest and fees under the MLA is capped at 36% in order to protect service members from predatory lending practices.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 May 2025
On one hand, insects higher in the food chain – predatory insects – showed a greater tolerance to elevated temperatures but, on the other hand, they were harmed by simplified landscapes that are devoid of natural vegetation – agricultural fields.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Debra Kamin, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Luckily, this particular bear in the viral TikTok video, while unnerving in its closeness, did not exhibit signs of aggression or predatory behavior, ultimately leaving the hiker alone after stopping by a stream.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
The interest rate on debt covered by the SCRA is capped at 6%, while the rate on interest and fees under the MLA is capped at 36% in order to protect service members from predatory lending practices.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 27 May 2025
On one hand, insects higher in the food chain – predatory insects – showed a greater tolerance to elevated temperatures but, on the other hand, they were harmed by simplified landscapes that are devoid of natural vegetation – agricultural fields.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predatory
Adjective
-
But Pulisic and the other first-choice players missing from the Gold Cup roster were put in a bad position by a global soccer environment with a rapacious appetite for matches — or rather a rapacious appetite for the money those matches produce.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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In recent years, the rise of even less scrupulous and more rapacious influencer commentariat, with enormous YouTube and social followings, has further escalated the pressures celebrities face.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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But the Cubs and Yankees will likely be much more aggressive in pursuing him than the Brewers will.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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Cross-examination of the victims’ two surviving roommates will likely be aggressive, especially of Dylan Mortensen.—
Jean Casarez,
CNN Money,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Biological control: Parasitic wasps, predaceous beetles and birds assist in lowering sawfly populations.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
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Look for and conserve natural enemies such as predaceous bugs, lacewings, lady beetles, and syrphids.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Jan. 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
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Detailed testimonies of refugees along the Balkan route therefore challenge the conventional wisdom that officials tend to protect them from raptorial smugglers.—
Max Abrahms,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Mar. 2017
Adjective
-
Since Israel launched its Gaza offensive in the wake of Hamas' deadly October 2023 attack, the country has faced war crimes accusations from United Nations officials and human rights groups.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
-
Days before Trump ordered the drone strike that killed him, Soleimani had orchestrated a deadly attack on a U.S. base in Iraq.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Alana even obliged to share the story of her wildest worst date — a saga that manages to incorporate those key themes of maintaining a strong sense of humor, and knowing when to cut and run.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
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The final product is an unpredictable, wild ride full of suspense, fun, and classic horror gore.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Swart said another giveaway is the hotel accommodations that are arranged for violent rioters.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2025
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Newsom and Trump have sparred over the California protests after the president federalized National Guard troops, arguing local officials were not doing enough to quell demonstrations that at times grew violent, though most protesters were peaceful.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The game needed overtime — the third game that went beyond regulation in the first four contests of the series — because Edmonton mounted a ferocious comeback after falling into a three-goal first period deficit.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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He’s been on a like-a-hurricane live roll lately with his ferocious new band the Chrome Hearts, who make their studio debut on Talkin to the Trees.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predatory. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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