Definitions

predatory

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

ADJECTIVE

eating, destroying for sustenance or without conscience

Synonyms

STRONGEST

greedy marauding rapacious voracious

WEAK

bloodthirsty carnivorous depredatory despoiling hungry hunting pillaging plundering predacious predative preying raptorial ravaging ravening thieving vulturine vulturous wolfish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s not that we don’t think that there needs to be development,” he told The Times, “but it shouldn’t be of this predatory nature where developers are swooping in.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 1, 2026

Australia in December banned under 16s from the likes of Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, in a crackdown designed to protect children from online bullying and "predatory algorithms".

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

Scenes flesh out a lineup of predatory city characters, from an obsessive building superintendent to a scheming nightclub impresario.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

"No child should be targeted under 16 for social media - it is addictive, it is corruptive, it is corrosive and it's predatory."

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

I struggle in vain as Shahira approaches me, her gait now having the same predatory grace as Zero’s.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Vocabulary lists containing predatory

Holes

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

And Then There Were None

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Where the Red Fern Grows

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!