predatory

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

adjective

Zoology. preying upon other organisms for food.
of, relating to, or characterized by plunder, pillage, robbery, or exploitation: predatory tactics.
engaging in or living by these activities: predatory bands of brigands.
excessive or exploitive in amount or cost, as out of greed or to take advantage of consumers or patrons: predatory pricing.
acting with or possessed by overbearing, rapacious, or selfish motives: He was cornered at the party by a predatory reporter.

Origin of predatory

From the Latin word praedātōrius, dating back to 1580–90. See predator, -tory1

SYNONYMS FOR predatory

2, 3 rapacious.

OTHER WORDS FROM predatory

Words nearby predatory

predate, predation, predation pressure, predatism, predator, predatory, predatory pricing, predawn, predecease, predecessor, predecidual

Example sentences from the Web for non-predatory

  • The occurrence of non-predatory temperament with the class at that stage is to be looked upon as a case of sporadic reversion.

    The Theory of the Leisure Class |Thorstein Veblen

British Dictionary definitions for non-predatory

predatory
/ (ˈprɛdətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

zoology another word for predacious (def. 1)
of, involving, or characterized by plundering, robbing, etc

Derived forms of predatory

predatorily, adverb predatoriness, noun

Word Origin for predatory

C16: from Latin praedātōrius rapacious, from praedārī to pillage, from praeda booty