Synonyms for

Predatory

Verb / ˈpredʌˌtɔ:ri: / Another word for predatory — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

relating to or denoting an animal or animals preying naturally on others.

Synonyms & similar words

raptorial vulturous marauding predaceous rapacious vulturine ravening raiding predacious carnivorous ravenous predacious raptorial vulturine rapacious voracious sharp predaceous predator-like predatorish predatorlike hunting huntsome predaciousness predaciousness

Synonyms by register

Formal

predacious rapacious preying

Informal

vulturous sharky vulture-like

Literary

ravaging voracious ferocious

Antonyms

benevolent altruistic harmless gentle peaceful nonaggressive

Common collocations

  • predatory behavior
  • predatory instinct
  • predatory lending
  • predatory nature
  • predatory animal
  • predatory organism
  • predatory pricing

Word family

noun predation
verb prey
adjective predatory
adverb predatorily

Usage note

Often used to describe animals that hunt other animals for food, but can also describe people or businesses that exploit others unfairly. The connotation is generally negative.

Example sentences

  1. The predatory birds circled overhead.
  2. The predatory animals were hunting in the jungle.
  3. The shark is a predatory fish.
  4. The Venus flytrap is a predatory plant.
  5. The predatory tactics of the business world are often ruthless.

Quotes

  • The predatory attitude of the powerful toward the weak is the tragedy of our time. - Helen Keller
  • The predatory jungle is the only law that prevails in the corporate world. - Michael Parenti
  • The predatory nature of capitalism cannot be tamed. - Noam Chomsky

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