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
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
In creator Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone prequel on Paramount+, husband and wife Jacob and Cara Dutton (Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren) fight to protect their sprawling Montana ranch from cattle thieves, a predatory land baron (Timothy Dalton) and an untamed, unpredictable wilderness.
—
Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
By 540 million years ago, the Cambrian explosion was underway — a rapid diversification of life that saw the emergence of complex multicellular organisms, predatory behavior and the foundations of modern ecosystems.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
In addition to the flights to Prague to meet underage boys, Holmberg was also accused of predatory behavior closer to home.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Some species are predatory, while others act as parasites, researchers said, depending on where the animals spend their lives.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
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Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
By 540 million years ago, the Cambrian explosion was underway — a rapid diversification of life that saw the emergence of complex multicellular organisms, predatory behavior and the foundations of modern ecosystems.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
In addition to the flights to Prague to meet underage boys, Holmberg was also accused of predatory behavior closer to home.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2025
Some species are predatory, while others act as parasites, researchers said, depending on where the animals spend their lives.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
Cite this Entry
“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predatory. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
National Law Journalpredatory 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
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