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

/ ˈprɛdətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. zoology another word for predacious

2. of, involving, or characterized by plundering, robbing, etc

Other Word Forms

• predatorily adverb
• predatoriness noun
• nonpredatorily adverb
• nonpredatorilyness noun
• nonpredatory adjective
• unpredatory 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

In a 2-1 decision on Sept. 2, a panel of judges from the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found that the administration acted unlawfully, saying there has been “no invasion or predatory incursion.”

From Los Angeles Times

Some were former gold prospectors priced out of work because of a predatory state tax on foreign miners.

From Los Angeles Times

“These were predatory acts that showed a total disregard of life.”

From Los Angeles Times

He promised to "put more people and focus into the teams protecting women and children from violence" and "go after predatory men who commit those crimes".

From BBC

At City Hall, officials have made it a priority to protect the area’s immigrant residents and workforce — whether that involves bolstering tenant rights against predatory landlords, or joining a civil rights lawsuit against indiscriminate raids.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• greedy 
• marauding 
• rapacious 
• voracious