predators
n. countablen. animals that live by killing and eating other animals. You can also use this word to describe people who hurt or take advantage of others.
n. organisms that hunt, kill, and consume other organisms for sustenance. Often used metaphorically to describe individuals who ruthlessly exploit others for personal gain.
Lions are the most famous predators on the African plains.
The reintroduction of wolves helped control the deer population by restoring the natural balance between predators and prey.
In the absence of apex predators, smaller species often experience rapid population growth that can lead to the overconsumption of local vegetation and eventual ecosystem collapse.
Commonly appears in the plural form when discussing ecological relationships or food chains.