1
Animal predation
Hunting other organisms for food.
Example
The island has no native predatory mammals.
predatory
/ˈprɛdətəri/ · PRED-uh-tor-eeadjective
Seeking advantage by exploiting, harming, or preying on others.
Use predatory when the context supports this precise sense: seeking advantage by exploiting, harming, or preying on others.
What predatory Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Exploitative conduct
Taking unfair advantage of vulnerable people.
Example
Regulators prohibited the lender’s predatory fees.
3
Aggressive acquisition
Targeting weakened organisations for gain.
Example
The law restricted predatory purchasing practices.
Use predatory Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The island has no native predatory mammals.
Regulators prohibited the lender’s predatory fees.
The law restricted predatory purchasing practices.
Precision Matters
Predatory overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
predatory
vs.Means seeking advantage by exploiting, harming, or preying on others.
benevolent
Means well-meaning, kindly, and inclined to help others.
predatory
vs.Means seeking advantage by exploiting, harming, or preying on others.
invasive
Means spreading intrusively or entering in a harmful, disruptive way.
predatory
vs.Means seeking advantage by exploiting, harming, or preying on others.
nefarious
Means wicked, immoral, or criminal.
predatory
vs.Means seeking advantage by exploiting, harming, or preying on others.
opportunistic
Means taking immediate advantage of circumstances.
Test predatory in Context
The lender deliberately exploits vulnerable borrowers.
1
The loans targeted borrowers who lacked alternatives and imposed fees designed to trap them in debt, practices regulators called ___.