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
The predatory fish are constantly regrowing and replacing their teeth.
—
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
This silvery blue little fish with a jet black stripe eats the bloodsucking parasites on other fish, including predatory species that might otherwise eat them.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
Exclusionary zoning practices further reinforced racial segregation, complemented by other systemic racist mechanisms such as redlining and predatory lending.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
Instead of punishing banks for their predatory practices, Relay condemns soulless corporations for their malfeasance and corruption.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
This silvery blue little fish with a jet black stripe eats the bloodsucking parasites on other fish, including predatory species that might otherwise eat them.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
Exclusionary zoning practices further reinforced racial segregation, complemented by other systemic racist mechanisms such as redlining and predatory lending.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 21 Aug. 2025
Instead of punishing banks for their predatory practices, Relay condemns soulless corporations for their malfeasance and corruption.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predatory
Adjective
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The man is rapacious — a hungry ghost with a big mouth and an empty stomach.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
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The sensationalized trial, every detail passed from rapacious reporters to a bloodthirsty public.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Biological control: Parasitic wasps, predaceous beetles and birds assist in lowering sawfly populations.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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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Damsel bugs are slender and tan-colored and have slightly raptorial front legs.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 July 2023
Adjective
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Hurricane Ian, the deadliest storm to hit the state since 1935, made landfall in late September 2022.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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She was previously charged with CHILD ABUSE, second-degree domestic assault, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Zoo life can be a lux experience for these Arizonan species, but for their wild counterparts living in the Sonoran desert, there is no escape from the region’s extreme heat and extended drought.—
John Leos,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The Cubs, who hold a 3 1/2 game lead over the San Diego Padres for the top National League wild-card spot and sit 5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, go for the sweep over Atlanta on Wednesday.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
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Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat from Chicago’s 15th Ward, wants Trump to send the National Guard to his city because of the violent crime to which people in his city are subjected.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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So all of us were just young and hungry and had the energy to be ferocious.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
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In the pic, Garfield plays a legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predatory. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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