predatory
adjective
pred·a·to·ry
ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē 
1
a
: of, relating to, or practicing plunder, pillage, or rapine
b
: inclined or intended to injure or exploit others for personal gain or profit
predatory pricing practices
2
: living by predation : predaceous
also
: adapted to predation
Examples of predatory in a Sentence
Hawks are predatory and may pose a danger to rabbits and other small pets.
The company made millions for investors but clearly engaged in predatory lending practices.
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, the list has served as a roadmap for both the FBI and Louisiana State Police, which launched sweeping investigations into New Orleans church leaders’ shielding of predatory priests.
—
Brett Martel, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, predatory financial products such as earned wage access programs and buy-now-pay-later schemes were exacerbating the problem.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
But Dennis is a more complicated character: a cringey, almost predatory force who doesn’t know where to draw the line.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
In a landmark decision, Yellowstone Capital, a merchant cash advance provider, agreed to a $1 billion settlement over allegations of predatory lending practices, affecting upwards of 18,000 small businesses nationwide.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for predatory 
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Brett Martel, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, predatory financial products such as earned wage access programs and buy-now-pay-later schemes were exacerbating the problem.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
But Dennis is a more complicated character: a cringey, almost predatory force who doesn’t know where to draw the line.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
In a landmark decision, Yellowstone Capital, a merchant cash advance provider, agreed to a $1 billion settlement over allegations of predatory lending practices, affecting upwards of 18,000 small businesses nationwide.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for predatory
Dictionary Entries Near predatory
Cite this Entry
“Predatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predatory. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predatory
adjective
pred·a·to·ry
ˈpred-ə-ˌtōr-ē
-ˌtȯr-
1
: of, relating to, or marked by robbing or using others for personal gain
predatory raids
2
: living by predation
predatory animals
Legal Definition
predatory
adjective
pred·a·to·ry
ˈpre-də-ˌtōr-ē
1
: inclined or intended to injure competitors by unfair means
subject to antitrust liability for predatory conduct—National Law Journal
National Law Journalpredatory bidding
2
: inclined or intended to injure or exploit others for personal gain or profit
predatory loans
3
: of or relating to a sexual predator
predatory assault
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