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predator

[ pred-uh-ter, -tawr ]
/ ˈprɛd ə tər, -ˌtɔr /
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See synonyms for: predator / predators on Thesaurus.com

noun
Zoology. any organism that exists by preying upon other organisms: Cats are carnivorous predators.
a person or group that plunders, pillages, or robs, as in war: The Vikings were barbarian predators.
a person, group, or business that exploits, victimizes, or preys on others: a sexual predator who targets children;corporate predators who go after smaller rivals.
an overbearing, greedy or selfish person.
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Origin of predator

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin praedātor “plunderer, pillager,” equivalent to praedā(rī) “to plunder, pillage” (derivative of praeda “booty, plunder”) + -tor, agent noun suffix; see origin at prey, -tor

OTHER WORDS FROM predator

an·ti·pred·a·tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use predator in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for predator

predator
/ (ˈprɛdətə) /

noun
any carnivorous animal
a predatory person or thing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for predator

predator
[ prĕdə-tər ]

An animal that lives by capturing and eating other animals.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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