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

If you look into your heart, you know deep down that predatory capitalism has us all sick and has enabled a war and prison industry, that our society is configured in ways that divide and alienate us from what is our best nature, that the two-party system entrenches power.

From Salon

The researchers said: "Our results reveal the importance of a dark silhouette against a lighter background in predatory behaviour in great white sharks and that altering the silhouette may form the basis of new non-invasive shark deterrent technology to protect human life."

From BBC

Prosecutor Fiona Ryan said Pickthall had admitted a "range of predatory sexual offences, primarily committed against students and former students of his at Brentwood School".

From BBC

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

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., are calling upon the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Agriculture to investigate Albertsons and other major grocery chains for “predatory pricing” practices that may have violated federal laws.

From Salon

Related Words

• greedy
• marauding
• rapacious
• voracious