predatory

Adjective

1. Of, or relating to a predator.
   • Harry Kane was back to his predatory best after struggling in the group stage, following up his goal against Germany by poking home a superb pass from Raheem Sterling after only four minutes. - 2021 July 3, Phil...
   • And while there are plenty of benches, there's little shelter from the wind (or predatory seagulls the size of dogs) out on the platforms. - 2024 November 13, Paul Bigland, “Much to admire... but pockets of neglect”, in...
2. Living by preying on other living animals.
   • The mark of his father’s early life was strong upon him and enhanced by months of association with beasts, from whom the imitative faculty of youth had absorbed a countless number of little mannerisms of the predatory...

   Synonyms: predaceous predacious

3. Exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.
   • predatory lending
   • predatory inclusion
   • One very important section of the denizens of Darkest England are the criminals and the semi-criminals. They are more or less predatory, and are at present shepherded by the police and punished by the gaoler. - 1890,...