predatory

adjective

pred·​a·​to·​ry ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

a

: of, relating to, or practicing plunder, pillage, or rapine

b

: inclined or intended to injure or exploit others for personal gain or profit

predatory pricing practices

2

: living by predation : predaceous

also : adapted to predation

Synonyms

• predaceous
• predacious
• rapacious
• raptorial

Examples of predatory in a Sentence

Hawks are predatory and may pose a danger to rabbits and other small pets.

The company made millions for investors but clearly engaged in predatory lending practices.

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the antics includes their attempt to get a payday loan as Katt Williams haunts them from the window, telling them of the dangers of predatory loans. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2024

Ka’s music, which is largely self-produced, is at once stark and enveloping, a fugue of dread and predatory housing law punctured by shards and wisdom and, occasionally, discrete moments of joy. —Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2024

Their predatory behavior and size can deter prey from over-consuming vital marine vegetation like seagrass, essential for the ecosystem's health. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

Teeth are the only widely available record of prehistoric sharks, since the cartilaginous bodies of the predatory fish do not preserve easily. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

predatory

adjective

pred·​a·​to·​ry ˈpred-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

1

: of, relating to, or marked by robbing or using others for personal gain

predatory raids

2

: living by predation

predatory animals

Legal Definition

predatory

adjective

pred·​a·​to·​ry ˈpre-də-ˌtōr-ē 

1

: inclined or intended to injure competitors by unfair means

subject to antitrust liability for predatory conduct

—National Law Journal

predatory bidding

2

: inclined or intended to injure or exploit others for personal gain or profit

predatory loans

3

: of or relating to a sexual predator

predatory assault