Predator

/ˈprɛd.ɪ.tər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An animal that hunts other animals for food.

The lion is a top predator in the African savannah.

A person or group that exploits others for personal gain.

In the corporate world, some individuals act as predators, taking advantage of their weaker competitors.

An organism that primarily obtains food by feeding on other organisms.

The hawk is a skilled predator, swooping down to catch its prey.

Late Middle English: from Latin 'predator', from 'praedari' meaning 'to plunder'.

top predator

The highest level of a food chain that is not preyed upon by other animals.

predator-prey relationship

The dynamics of interaction between a predator and its prey.

prey

An animal that is hunted and killed by another for food.

scavenger

An animal or person that feeds on dead or decaying matter.

A harmful person who exploits others, often used in a context of personal relationships.

He's a total predator in the dating scene, always chasing vulnerable partners.

An aggressive player in a business environment, who takes advantage of weaker competitors.

In the corporate world, he's known as a predator, always trying to eat up smaller firms.