prædatory

Adjective

predatory (comparative more predatory, superlative most predatory)

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 McNulty, “Ukraine 0-4 England”, in BBC Sport
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 creatures of the wild.1915 December 4 – 1916 January 8, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter IX, in The Son of Tarzan, Chicago, Ill.: A[lexander] C[aldwell] McClurg & Co., published March 1917, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   predaceous, predacious

3. (figuratively) Exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.
   • predatory lending