ENGLISH
REFERENCE

predatory

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈpɹɛdəˌtɔɹi// UK //pɹˈɛdətəɹˌi// preda·to·ry

adj. describing an animal that hunts and eats others, or a person who treats others unfairly to get what they want. You use this for behavior that is aggressive and takes advantage of weaker people.

adj. relating to an organism that survives by preying on others, or a person who exploits others for personal gain. Often describes aggressive financial or social behaviors intended to victimize the vulnerable.


SIMPLE

The owl is a predatory bird that hunts at night.

CONTEXTUAL

Consumer groups warned against predatory lending practices that target people with low credit scores.

COMPLEX

The documentary explores how predatory corporations often exploit legal loopholes to extract resources from developing nations without providing fair compensation to local communities.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin praedātōrius, equivalent to predator + -y.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun; can describe both biological traits and metaphorical human behaviors.

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