PREDATORY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does predatory mean? 

• PREDATORY (adjective)
  The adjective PREDATORY has 3 senses:

1. characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding

2. living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey

3. living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain

  Familiarity information: PREDATORY used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PREDATORY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by plundering or pillaging or marauding

Synonyms:

marauding; predatory; raiding

Context example:

a raiding party

Similar:

offensive (for the purpose of attack rather than defense)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey

Synonyms:

predatory; rapacious; raptorial; ravening; vulturine; vulturous

Context example:

a vulturine taste for offal

Similar:

aggressive (having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Living by or given to victimizing others for personal gain

Synonyms:

predaceous; predacious; predatory

Context example:

a predacious kind of animal--the early geological gangster

Similar:

acquisitive (eager to acquire and possess things especially material possessions or ideas)

 Context examples 

The scientists say this shows they were stimulating predatory behavior specifically and not making the animals generally more angry or aggressive.

(Geneticists produce laser-activated killer mice, Wikinews)

The new fossil helps researchers unravel extinction dynamics for predatory mammals stalking African ecosystems of that long-ago time.

(Fossil discovery in Tanzania reveals ancient bobcat-sized carnivore, National Science Foundation)

Nest boxes and perches may bring in predatory birds more effectively, for example, than providing food.

(American kestrels, most common predatory birds in U.S., can reduce need for pesticide use, National Science Foundation)

In order to face the constant danger of hurt and even of destruction, his predatory and protective faculties were unduly developed.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Surely it was more likely that a brainless creature, acting solely by vague predatory instinct, would give up the chase when I disappeared, and, after a pause of astonishment, would wander away in search of some other prey?

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Unlike its better-known relatives, the Great white shark and other predatory sharks, the whale shark is a filter feeder, meaning that it draws water into its mouth and extracts small organisms from the liquid.

(New study of endangered whale shark youth shows vital habitat similarities, Wikinews)

Increasing native predatory birds in agricultural areas can control insect pests that damage crops, and potentially reduce pesticide use.

(American kestrels, most common predatory birds in U.S., can reduce need for pesticide use, National Science Foundation)