PREDATORY Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

predatory

adjective

ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of predatory

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

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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 Seepersad added that another key purpose behind the new resource is to protect students against predatory entities. — Kat Ramkumar, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026 His argument, however, is being met by mounting concerns over the organization of the upcoming elections and the country’s entrenched and predatory political culture. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 His muscles grew stronger; his predatory instincts came to the fore. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026 Two local business owners, Yazan Humaideh of Sip City and Charles Osborne of Golden Cleaning Services, joined Budd and Theodros Thursday to share their stories about predatory towing. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for predatory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for predatory

Adjective

There will be the option to absorb some of the price rise triggered by the rapacious demands of AI servers for memory and storage.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Capitalism’s rapacious use of the planet has run up a tab to be paid by both future generations and the poor currently living in the Global South.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026

Definition of rapacious

Adjective

His preference for a 4-2-3-1 has been evident, however, and the German is looking for Newcastle to be aggressive in the press, intensive and also direct, with a plan to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Throughout his scuffles, however, Boone felt Grisham had gotten more aggressive inside the strike zone.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of aggressive

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
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

Definition of predaceous

Adjective

Given the absence of venom, the researchers propose that these arachnids likely use strong raptorial pedipalps (claw-like appendages).

— Jay Kakade July 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
These predators patrol, stalk and swiftly capture their prey with raptorial front legs.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026

Definition of raptorial

Adjective

Many residents on Flores island in East Nusa Tenggara province spent the day mourning victims and waiting for aid to arrive to communities still cut off by the deadly quake.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Reuters — The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 2,325 people, government data showed on Sunday, surpassing the toll from the 2018-2020 outbreak to become the deadliest in the country’s history.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of deadly

Adjective

Lamborghini used Monterey to reveal the Revuelto SV, a harder, faster version of its already ferocious V12 hybrid flagship.

— Josh Max, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Well, thanks to a video making the rounds of Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins doing some poop-scooping, the lines have been drawn for a ferocious online debate.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adjective

While that's wild in itself, the odds are high the resulting damage to infrastructure will lead to a discharge of raw sewage into the water.

— John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2026
As the five members – Jiyu, Leesol, Sui, Haum, and Kya – entered the stage, the crowd went wild.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of wild

Adjective

The savage battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa had already demonstrated the ferocity with which Japanese forces would defend their homeland.

— James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
The lifestyle mogul made a savage comment about Meghan Markle in a cover story for PEOPLE on Wednesday, calling out her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of savage

Browse Nearby Words

predators

predatory

predecease

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“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predatory. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of predatory

adjective

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