predatory

[ pred-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. Zoology. preying upon other organisms for food.
2. of, relating to, or characterized by plunder, pillage, or robbery, as in war:

   predatory tactics.

   Synonyms: rapacious

3. engaging in or living by these activities:

   predatory bands of brigands.

   Synonyms: rapacious

4. excessive or exploitative in amount or cost, as out of greed or to take advantage of consumers or patrons:

   predatory pricing.

5. seeking to exploit, victimize, or prey on others:

   More and more, senior citizens find themselves victims of predatory scams that rob them of their savings.

6. acting with or possessed by overbearing, greedy, or selfish motives:

   He was cornered at the party by a predatory reporter.

predatory

/ -trɪ; ˈprɛdətərɪ /

adjective

1. See predacious
   zoology another word for predacious
2. of, involving, or characterized by plundering, robbing, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈpredatorily, adverb
• ˈpredatoriness, noun

Other Words From

• preda·tori·ly adverb
• preda·tori·ness noun
• non·preda·tori·ly adverb
• non·preda·tori·lyness noun
• non·preda·tory adjective
• un·preda·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of predatory¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin praedātōrius “plundering, marauding”; predator, -tory ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of predatory¹

C16: from Latin praedātōrius rapacious, from praedārī to pillage, from praeda booty

Example Sentences

Nonetheless, Washington has chosen to allow Chinese predatory behavior to continue.

From The Daily Beast

As he says, most men are not predatory sex pests, trying to force themselves on women, get a hand up her skirt, or cop a feel.

From The Daily Beast

Allegations that these two men are abusive and predatory have gone on for years now.

From The Daily Beast

In addition to being known for drugs, FIJI, two sources said, has a reputation for exceptionally predatory behavior towards girls.

From The Daily Beast

This, it should be said, bears an eerie similarity to the targeted, predatory lending of the last decade.

From The Daily Beast

For many years there had been great scarcity in both countries, a natural consequence of predatory warfare.

From Project Gutenberg

The fellow ill-treated her horribly, but he taught her everything in the way of the predatory life that was to be learnt.

From Project Gutenberg

The coming of the Romans led to the opening up of new roads, and caused the building of walls of defence against predatory tribes.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time, anything more ludicrous than the manner in which they indulged their predatory tastes can scarcely be imagined.

From Project Gutenberg

The tribes bordering the British territory were brave, restless, and predatory.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• greedy
• marauding
• rapacious
• voracious