Predatory Definition & Meaning

predatory
adjective
  1. characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding; "bands of marauding Indians"; "predatory warfare"; "a raiding party"
  2. living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey; "a predatory bird"; "the rapacious wolf"; "raptorial birds"; "ravening wolves"; "a vulturine taste for offal"
  3. living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain; "predatory capitalists"; "a predatory, insensate society in which innocence and decency can prove fatal"- Peter S. Prescott; "a predacious kind of animal--the early geological gangster"- W.E.Swinton

Synonyms for predatory

acquisitive adj

eager to acquire and possess things especially material possessions or ideas; "an acquisitive mind

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aggressive adj

having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends; "an aggressive businessman

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marauding adj

characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding; "bands of marauding Indians"; "predatory warfare

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offensive adj

violating or tending to violate or offend against; "violative of the principles of liberty

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predaceous adj

hunting and killing other animals for food living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain

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predacious adj

hunting and killing other animals for food living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain

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raiding adj

characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding; "bands of marauding Indians"; "predatory warfare

♫ Rhymes
rapacious adj

living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey; "a predatory bird"; "the rapacious wolf

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raptorial adj

relating to or characteristic of birds of prey

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ravening adj

living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey; "a predatory bird"; "the rapacious wolf

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Predatory" in song lyrics

See how predatory is used in real songs:

  • "first national assurance predatory"
    AOL — AOL
  • "option one mortgages is it predatory"
    AOL — AOL
  • "real estate broker predatory"
    AOL — AOL

Words that rhyme with predatory

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Usage tips for "predatory"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "predatory" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for predatory to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with predatory ↔ Synonyms for predatory 🔬 Words containing predatory

Frequently asked questions

What does predatory mean?
characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding; "bands of marauding Indians"; "predatory warfare"; "a raiding party" living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey; "a predatory bird"; "the rapacious wolf"; "raptorial birds"; "ravening wolves"; "a vulturine taste for offal" living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain; "predatory capitalists"; "a predatory, insensate society in which innocence and decency can prove fatal"- Peter S. Prescott
What part of speech is predatory?
Predatory is an adjective.
How many definitions does predatory have?
Predatory has 3 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

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