predatory
Americanadjective
-
Zoology. preying upon other organisms for food.
-
of, relating to, or characterized by plunder, pillage, or robbery, as in war.
predatory tactics.
- Synonyms:
- rapacious
-
engaging in or living by these activities.
predatory bands of brigands.
- Synonyms:
- rapacious
-
excessive or exploitative in amount or cost, as out of greed or to take advantage of consumers or patrons.
predatory pricing.
-
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.
-
acting with or possessed by overbearing, greedy, or selfish motives.
He was cornered at the party by a predatory reporter.
adjective
-
zoology another word for predacious
-
of, involving, or characterized by plundering, robbing, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of predatory
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin praedātōrius “plundering, marauding”; see origin at predator, -tory 1
Explanation
Predatory animals are those who kill and then eat — in other words, "prey on" — other animals. Hawks, lions, alligators, and human beings are all predatory animals. Predatory is also used when one party victimizes another for personal gain. For example, businesses are often accused of "predatory practices" when they take advantage of senior citizens, the uneducated, or people who simply don’t understand the specifics of the loan or insurance policy they're signing up for. This is why it’s important to read the fine print of business documents.
Vocabulary lists containing predatory
Holes
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
And Then There Were None
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Where the Red Fern Grows
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Australian officials have said the ban is designed to protect children from online bullying and "predatory algorithms".
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
The community contained an unusual dominant organism, a very small predatory bacterium.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026
Because of EA’s leading role in the gaming industry, he said he fears that these potential actions could “set a precedent for other companies” to make these predatory practices standard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
While it is a legally registered business, some consumers widely allege that it is a scam or, at the very least, a predatory service.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026
Such sentimentalism may seem ridiculous considering what I had witnessed in the last days, but those were the deeds of others, of predatory animals.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
