predatory

comparative more predatory · superlative most predatory · alternative archaic prædatory

1. Of, or relating to a predator.

   And while there are plenty of benches, there's little shelter from the wind (or predatory seagulls the size of dogs) out on the platforms.

   2024 November 13, Paul Bigland, “Much to admire... but pockets of neglect”, in RAIL, number 1022, page 49

   1 more example

   Harry Kane was back to his predatory best after struggling in the group stage, following up his goal against Germany by poking home a superb pass from Raheem Sterling after only four minutes.

   2021 July 3, Phil McNulty, “Ukraine 0-4 England”, in BBC Sport

2. Living by preying on other living animals.

   The mark of his father’s early life was strong upon him and enhanced by months of association with beasts, from whom the imitative faculty of youth had absorbed a countless number of little mannerisms of the predatory creatures of the wild.

   1915 December 4 – 1916 January 8, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter IX, in The Son of Tarzan, Chicago, Ill.: A[lexander] C[aldwell] McClurg & Co., published March 1917, →OCLC

   Synonyms: predaceous, predacious

3. figurativelyExploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.

   predatory lending

   5 more examples

   predatory inclusion

   One very important section of the denizens of Darkest England are the criminals and the semi-criminals. They are more or less predatory, and are at present shepherded by the police and punished by the gaoler.

   1890, William Booth, chapter 7, in In Darkest England and the Way Out

   The purpose of government was the guarding of property-rights, the perpetuation of ancient force and modern fraud. Or was it marriage? Marriage and prostitution were two sides of one shield, the predatory man’s exploitation of the sex-pleasure.

   1905 April–October, Upton Sinclair, chapter XXXI, in The Jungle, New York, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 26 February 1906, →OCLC

   He remembered sitting quietly during visiting hours, not knowing what words of support to offer, and having to deal with predatory reporters who wanted to interview and photograph "the victim and the devoted lover."

   1986, Craig G. Harris, “Cut Off from Among Their People”, in Joseph Beam, editor, In The Life: A Black Gay Anthology, page 66

   Francis had promised to take the matter seriously, recruiting victims of predatory priests to a Vatican commission he set up to stamp out abuse, but several resigned soon afterwards, judging that he was not prepared to make the changes needed and hand oversight of the church’s handling of such cases to a completely independent body.

   2025 April 21, Peter Stanford, “Pope Francis obituary”, in The Guardian