predatory

/ˈprɛdətɔːri/

Say it: PRED-uh-tor-ee

1. adjective Seeking to exploit or harm others for one's own benefit, especially those who are vulnerable.
The company was accused of predatory business practices that targeted elderly customers.
2. adjective Relating to an animal that naturally preys on others.
The eagle's sharp talons are a key predatory adaptation for catching fish.

📖 Seen in the wild

The documentary showed the predatory nature of lions in the savanna.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ predatory in a sentence

New laws were introduced to protect consumers from predatory lending schemes.
The documentary exposed the celebrity's long history of predatory behavior.
Lions, wolves, and sharks are all well-known predatory animals.
He had a predatory gleam in his eye as he sized up his opponent across the poker table.
The large corporation used its market power for predatory pricing, aiming to bankrupt smaller rivals.
Online forums can sometimes attract predatory individuals looking for people to scam.
The hawk's predatory instincts took over as it spotted the mouse in the field below.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

exploitative rapacious vulturous wolfish predacious extortionate blood-sucking

exploitative · focuses more on using someone unfairly for gain, while predatory implies a more aggressive, hunting-like pursuit.

rapacious · suggests an aggressive, insatiable greed, often for wealth or power.

vulturous · implies preying on those who are already weak, dying, or suffering.

wolfish · suggests a fierce, aggressive, and often savage or lustful desire.

Opposites: protective, defensive, nurturing, supportive, benign

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'predatory' stalks its prey from Latin. It comes from 'praedatorius', meaning 'relating to plundering', which in turn derives from 'praedator' (plunderer) and 'praeda' (booty, prey). This origin of seizing spoils by force is clearly visible in its modern meaning of ruthlessly exploiting others.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

predatory behaviorpredatory lendingpredatory pricingsexual predatorpredatory instinct

While 'predatory' has a literal, biological meaning, its figurative use is far more common in modern English. It carries a very strong negative connotation, suggesting immoral and ruthless exploitation of the weak. Using this word is a serious accusation, so reserve it for situations involving deliberate and harmful targeting of vulnerable individuals or groups.

Word family: predator, predation, predate

💬 Quick answers

What does 'predatory' mean?

Predatory describes something that hunts and kills for food, like a lion. More commonly, it describes a person or company that ruthlessly exploits vulnerable people for their own gain.

What is the difference between 'predatory' and 'exploitative'?

While both are negative, 'predatory' is stronger. It implies an active, aggressive hunting of a victim, whereas 'exploitative' can describe any situation where someone is used unfairly.

What is an example of predatory behavior?

A common example is 'predatory lending,' where lenders target people with poor credit, offering them loans with extremely high interest rates and unfair terms they know the borrower cannot meet.

Is 'predatory' a strong word?

Yes, it is a very strong word with a severe negative connotation. Accusing someone of predatory behavior implies they are ruthless, immoral, and actively seek to harm the vulnerable.

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