predatory

USAGE SUMMARY

"predatory" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe an animal or person that seeks its prey aggressively. Example sentence: The lioness is a predatory creature, hunting gazelles for food.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As predatory commercial and political enemies sense blood, we should be deeply alarmed by the inadequacy of the institutions that are there to protect our public interest in broadcasting.

The Guardian

Predatory models are already emerging, with established presses offering open-access monographs alongside the print version for an all-inclusive £10,000 charge to offset a presumed (but not proved) fall in revenue: out of the reach for most individual academics, or many institutions.

The Guardian

Occupy Our Homes, on the other hand, confronts the system with its failures – predatory lending, homelessness, and empty bank-owned houses.

The Guardian - Opinion

Davide Pugliese, the chef who served up our best meal at the excellent Brandywine Bay restaurant on Tortola, warns that tropical fish poisoning, or ciguatera, can be caught from predatory fish caught around local reefs.

The Guardian - Travel

Up top, on days when Olivier Giroud has strained to make an impression, the need for an alternative who can help him or be a more predatory option looks obvious.

The Guardian - Sport

Wilson showed his predatory instincts 10 minutes later.

The Guardian - Sport

"The most important conservation action is to continue to work with local communities to ensure that the lake continues to be protected, and that predatory fish are never introduced," noted Waterman with EDGE.

The Guardian

On top of chytrid, amphibians also face deforestation, habitat destruction, air and water pollution, pesticides, invasive species, a sometimes predatory pet trade and climate change.

The Guardian

And even though existing laws might permit it, predatory loans from scam schools won't be discharged without a mass social movement that puts pressure on elites and scares them silly.

The Guardian - Opinion

It went on to say he has "a very strong predatory drive".

The Guardian - Opinion

Jimmy Savile's predatory and appalling attacks will leave a deep imprint on the contemporary BBC.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial practices, use "predatory" to denote unfair or deceptive lending or investment strategies that exploit vulnerable individuals.

Common error

Avoid using "predatory" in casual conversation or informal writing where a less intense term would suffice. Overusing strong adjectives like "predatory" can diminish their impact.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "predatory" primarily functions to describe something that hunts or exploits others for its own benefit. Ludwig AI and the provided examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from describing animal behavior to criticizing exploitative financial practices.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "predatory" is frequently used to describe something that exploits or preys on others. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. It is commonly found in contexts such as "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science", denoting exploitative behavior in finance, animal hunting patterns, and more. Related terms include "exploitative", "rapacious", and "vulturous". When employing the term, consider the specific context and the intensity you wish to convey, avoiding overuse in casual settings. Using "predatory" helps to highlight the exploitative nature of an action, carrying strong negative connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predacious

A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of preying on other animals.

rapacious

Stresses extreme greed and a willingness to seize resources aggressively.

exploiting

Highlights the action of using someone or something unfairly for personal benefit.

exploitative

Emphasizes the act of taking unfair advantage for personal gain.

ravening

Emphasizes the hunger and ferocity of the predatory action.

parasitic

Highlights the dependence on others for survival or benefit, often at their expense.

vulturous

Compares the behavior to that of a vulture, preying on the vulnerable or dying.

voracious

Implies an insatiable appetite or desire, often in a figurative sense.

aggressive

Focuses on the assertive and forceful nature of the behavior.

marauding

Suggests roaming and plundering in search of victims or resources.

FAQs

How is "predatory" used in a sentence?

The adjective "predatory" describes something that preys on others, often in a harmful or exploitative way. For example: "The company engaged in "predatory lending" practices."

What are synonyms for "predatory"?

Synonyms include "exploitative", "rapacious", "vulturous", and "marauding", each carrying slightly different connotations related to exploitation and aggression.

What does "predatory behavior" mean?

"Predatory behavior" refers to actions that seek to exploit or harm others for personal gain. This can apply in various contexts, such as financial scams, workplace bullying, or abusive relationships.

Is it accurate to describe an animal as "predatory"?

Yes, describing an animal as "predatory" is accurate when it hunts and kills other animals for food. This is the original and literal meaning of the word, as in "Lions are "predatory animals"".