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

Derived Forms

• ˈpredatorily, adverb
• ˈpredatoriness, noun

Other Words From

• 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

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

The post-pandemic increase in wages in no way can compensate for the last opportunity cost of a generation of flat or real wage loss that was replaced by predatory consumer credit and student loans.

From Salon

The criminal inquiries came after a joint investigation by BBC News and the Guardian in 2022 heard from women who made allegations of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching.

From BBC

Other claims made as part of the investigation relate to Brand's allegedly controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour.

From BBC

Several women have accused the presenter of predatory and unwanted sexual behaviour and touching, in alleged incidents between 1992 and 2017, after a joint investigation by the BBC and the Guardian.

From BBC

Swordfish attacks are extremely uncommon and death is even rarer, but their sharp protruding noses are formidable weapons for these predatory fish and can make for deadly encounters.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• greedy
• marauding
• rapacious
• voracious