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View synonyms for

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:
  3. engaging in or living by these activities.

    predatory bands of brigands.

    Synonyms:
  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

“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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Other Word Forms

  • predatorily adverb
  • predatoriness noun
  • nonpredatorily adverb
  • nonpredatorilyness noun
  • nonpredatory adjective
  • unpredatory adjective
  • ˈ岹ٴǰ adverb
  • ˈ岹ٴǰԱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of predatory1

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin ōܲ “plundering, marauding”; predator, -tory 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of predatory1

C16: from Latin ōܲ rapacious, from ī to pillage, from praeda booty
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"I think it's madness to launch predatory economic action that will disrupt the deep seabed, disrupt biodiversity, destroy it."

From

Scientists believe that most shark incidents are not predatory, but more likely “exploratory bites from sharks investigating unusual objects,” according to Fish and Wildlife officials.

From

The petition adds that “the predatory, extreme and dictatorial actions of the Trump administration call for an all-out commensurate response, which so far has been terribly lacking from the Democratic Party.”

From

Their entire business model, their whole inner nature, is predicated on hair-trigger litigiousness, predatory aggressiveness and a hunger to win at all costs.

From

Children’s movies featuring animals often reinforce stereotypes that predatory animals are inherently evil.

From

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predatorpredatory pricing