predatory

American  

[pred-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈprɛd əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

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.

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predatory British  

/ ˈprɛdətərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. zoology another word for predacious

2. of, involving, or characterized by plundering, robbing, etc

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Other Word Forms

• nonpredatorily adverb
• nonpredatorilyness noun
• nonpredatory adjective
• predatorily adverb
• predatoriness noun
• unpredatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of predatory

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin praedātōrius “plundering, marauding”; see origin at predator, -tory ¹

Explanation

Predatory animals are those who kill and then eat — in other words, "prey on" — other animals. Hawks, lions, alligators, and human beings are all predatory animals. Predatory is also used when one party victimizes another for personal gain. For example, businesses are often accused of "predatory practices" when they take advantage of senior citizens, the uneducated, or people who simply don’t understand the specifics of the loan or insurance policy they're signing up for. This is why it’s important to read the fine print of business documents.

Example Sentences

But eye-watering secondary market prices are an example of how desirable concerts have become a hot commodity for predatory resellers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

In the past, market discipline hasn’t always been enough to prevent private student lenders from partnering with schools with poor outcomes to offer arguably predatory loans often to low-income students.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

His proposed addition to Marcel Breuer’s original Whitney Museum would have hovered above it with predatory menace, like an 11-story concrete praying mantis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Among them are South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace, who has accused him of "predatory behaviour".

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

I swore I could hear the predatory whirr of Martens golf cart approaching.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• greedy
• marauding
• rapacious
• voracious