Reading Theme:
Predatory: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：unfairly exploiting others (predatory)
predatory
/ˈprɛdəˌtɔːri/
adj.
Describes people or companies that unfairly use others for their own gain, often by taking advantage of their weaknesses.
unfairly exploiting others
➕
/ʌnˈfeərli ɪkˈsplɔɪtɪŋ ˈʌðərz/
adj.
Describing actions or strategies that take advantage of others' vulnerabilities for personal or corporate gain.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'praedatorius' (plundering), derived from 'praeda' (prey).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a business shark preying on small fish: that's predatory behavior.
📖 Example
That large company has a predatory strategy of buying smaller startups just to shut them down and remove competition.
That large company employs an exploitative strategy of acquiring smaller startups solely to eliminate them and reduce competition.
🔗 Collocations
predatory pricing – setting prices low to drive out competitors
predatory lending – unfair loan practices that exploit borrowers
predatory behavior – actions that unfairly take advantage of others
🔄 Synonyms
exploitative (adj.) – taking unfair advantage of others
rapacious (adj.) – aggressively greedy or grasping
voracious (adj.) – having a huge appetite, often for resources or gain
🚫 Antonyms
benevolent (adj.) – well-meaning and kindly, not exploitative
altruistic (adj.) – selflessly concerned for the welfare of others
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from Latin 'praedatorius', meaning 'plundering'. In modern English, it frequently describes unethical exploitation in business contexts, such as 'predatory lending' or 'predatory pricing'.
Meaning 2：hunting other animals (predatory)
predatory
/ˈprɛdəˌtɔːri/
adj.
Used to describe animals that naturally hunt, kill, and eat other animals to survive.
hunting other animals
➕
/ˈhʌntɪŋ ˈʌðər ˈænɪməlz/
adj.
Describing animals that naturally hunt, kill, and consume other animals as part of their survival.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Lions are predatory animals that hunt in groups to catch their prey, like zebras.
Lions are hunting animals that pursue prey such as zebras in coordinated groups.
🔗 Collocations
predatory instinct – natural urge to hunt and capture prey
predatory species – animal species that hunt other animals for food
predatory gaze – intent look of an animal focused on its prey
🔄 Synonyms
carnivorous (adj.) – feeding on the flesh of other animals
raptorial (adj.) – adapted for seizing prey, as in birds of prey
predacious (adj.) – another term meaning predatory or hunting
🚫 Antonyms
herbivorous (adj.) – feeding on plants, not hunting animals
non-predatory (adj.) – not involving hunting or preying on others
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