predatory
Zoology. preying upon other organisms for food.
of, relating to, or characterized by plunder, pillage, or robbery, as in war: predatory tactics.
engaging in or living by these activities: predatory bands of brigands.
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.
Origin of predatory
1Other words for predatory
Other words from predatory
- 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
Words Nearby predatory
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use predatory in a sentence
They also vow to reform policing in Falls Church by shifting officers’ focus to community building and away from “predatory measures”.
Non-binary candidate looks to fill Falls Church City Council seat | Steph Purifoy | October 6, 2020 | Washington BladeThe largest sharks ever to hunt in Earth’s oceans may have gotten so big thanks to their predatory behavior in the womb, scientists report October 5 in Historical Biology.
Cannibalism in the womb may have helped megalodon sharks become giants | Carolyn Gramling | October 5, 2020 | Science NewsFor the fission yeast, such predatory tactics can have big consequences, even driving two nearly identical strains toward becoming different species.
This year’s SN 10 scientists aim to solve some of science’s biggest challenges | Science News Staff | September 30, 2020 | Science NewsSome of the animals that went extinct were large predatory fish.
Saber-toothed anchovy relatives were once fearsome hunters | Carolyn Wilke | June 11, 2020 | Science News For StudentsThey are similar to those of modern predatory birds such as owls.
This dinosaur was no bigger than a hummingbird | Carolyn Gramling | April 13, 2020 | Science News For Students
Nonetheless, Washington has chosen to allow Chinese predatory behavior to continue.
Sony Blames North Korea for Hacking, but Washington Left Them Completely Vulnerable | Gordon G. Chang | December 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs 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.
Does California’s College Rape Bill Go Too Far In Regulating Sex? | Emma Woolf | June 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAllegations that these two men are abusive and predatory have gone on for years now.
Revenge on the Pervs: Why the Tide Is Finally Turning Against Dov Charney and Terry Richardson | Amanda Marcotte | June 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn addition to being known for drugs, FIJI, two sources said, has a reputation for exceptionally predatory behavior towards girls.
From Frat Boys to Criminals: Two College Elites' Scarface Dreams | Olivia Nuzzi | April 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThis, it should be said, bears an eerie similarity to the targeted, predatory lending of the last decade.
For many years there had been great scarcity in both countries, a natural consequence of predatory warfare.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. MurisonThe fellow ill-treated her horribly, but he taught her everything in the way of the predatory life that was to be learnt.
The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. WhiteThe coming of the Romans led to the opening up of new roads, and caused the building of walls of defence against predatory tribes.
The Towns of Roman Britain | James Oliver BevanAt the same time, anything more ludicrous than the manner in which they indulged their predatory tastes can scarcely be imagined.
The tribes bordering the British territory were brave, restless, and predatory.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
British Dictionary definitions for predatory
/ (ˈprɛdətərɪ, -trɪ) /
zoology another word for predacious (def. 1)
of, involving, or characterized by plundering, robbing, etc
Origin of predatory
1Derived forms of predatory
- predatorily, adverb
- predatoriness, noun
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
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