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Definition of Predatorily - 3 dictionary results

pred⋅a⋅to⋅ry

  [pred-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
Use Predatorily in a Sentence
–adjective
1. Zoology. preying upon other organisms for food.
2. of, pertaining to, or characterized by plunder, pillage, robbery, or exploitation: predatory tactics.
3. engaging in or living by these activities: predatory bands of brigands.
4. excessive or exploitive in amount or cost, as out of greed or to take advantage of consumers or patrons: predatory pricing.
5. acting with or possessed by overbearing, rapacious, or selfish motives: He was cornered at the party by a predatory reporter.
Origin:
1580–90; < L praedātōrius. See predator, -tory 1

Related forms:
pred⋅a⋅to⋅ri⋅ly, adverb
pred⋅a⋅to⋅ri⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2, 3. rapacious.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pred·a·to·ry   (prěd'ə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē)   
adj.  
  1. Living by preying on other organisms: a predatory mammal; a predatory insect.
    1. Of, relating to, or characterized by plundering, pillaging, or marauding.
    2. Living by or given to exploiting or destroying others for one's own gain.

[Latin praedātōrius, plundering, from praedārī, to plunder, from praeda, booty; see ghend- in Indo-European roots.]
pred'a·to'ri·ly adv., pred'a·to'ri·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Predatorily

Pred"a*to*ri*ly\, adv. In a predatory manner.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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