Predator - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT predator /ˈprɛdədər/ /ˈprɛdətə/ IPA guide

Other forms: predators

A predator is an animal that eats other animals — or people or companies who act like they do. Lions are predators, but so are pickpockets and some giant corporations.

The word predator started out referring to insects that ate other insects, but has grown to include any animal that eats another animal. We humans like to think of ourselves as the top of the food chain, but scary movies love to disagree, like in the 1987 movie Predator, where creepy aliens try to kill and eat us. Predators don't have to kill and eat you, though; they can also just take your stuff. It's from the Latin word praedator, which means "plunderer," which is more like something a pirate would do.

Definitions of predator

noun any animal that lives by preying on other animals synonyms: predatory animal see moresee less types: carnivore any animal that feeds on flesh type of: animal, animate being, beast, brute, creature, fauna a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
noun someone who attacks in search of booty synonyms: marauder, piranha, vulture see moresee less types: moss-trooper a marauder and plunderer (originally operating in the bogs between England and Scotland) type of: aggressor, assailant, assaulter, attacker someone who attacks

Pronunciation US /ˈprɛdədər/ UK /ˈprɛdətə/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘predator'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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