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
When customers trust you enough to consolidate their financial lives, expanding into credit becomes natural evolution, not predatory behavior.
—
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Heirs property also leaves families vulnerable to predatory investors who force partition sales, tax and mortgage defaults, and ultimately, homeownership loss.
—Marco Villegas, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
But the Nutritional Advisory Group to the AZA highlights the importance of predatory animals still having access to large and whole animal remains as part of a balanced diet.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
Following ongoing reports and accusations of grooming and predatory behavior experienced by its younger-skewing users, the gaming platform rolled out a slew of new safety features Thursday.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for predatory
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Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Heirs property also leaves families vulnerable to predatory investors who force partition sales, tax and mortgage defaults, and ultimately, homeownership loss.
—Marco Villegas, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2025
But the Nutritional Advisory Group to the AZA highlights the importance of predatory animals still having access to large and whole animal remains as part of a balanced diet.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
Following ongoing reports and accusations of grooming and predatory behavior experienced by its younger-skewing users, the gaming platform rolled out a slew of new safety features Thursday.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 July 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 23 Aug. 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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