predator
noun
pred·a·tor
ˈpre-də-tər 
-ˌtȯr
-ˌtȯr
1
: an organism that primarily obtains food by the killing and consuming of other organisms : an organism that lives by predation
The threadworm is a tiny nematode; its manifold kin include human parasites such as the hookworm, although the lab species is no parasite but an abundant, free-living predator of soil bacteria.—
Eleanor E. MacCoby
Eleanor E. MacCobyIn a new environment, with no predators, an exotic plant can theoretically run riot.
especially
: an animal that preys on other animals
With no large predators around, the koala rarely meets a violent end. —Denis Gray
Denis Gray The picture that emerges from my research in a near-wilderness environment is that of the red fox as a specialized predator of small prey (insects, songbirds, small rodents, rabbits), with highly evolved and intriguing adaptations for this type of hunting … —J. David Henry
J. David Henry Some spiders and caterpillars mimic bird droppings—an excellent strategy for deterring avian predators. —James Martin
James Martin 2
: one who injures or exploits others for personal gain or profit
Businessmen, he believed, were often predators …—Nathan Glick
Nathan GlickNeighborhood predators found that setting a fire was an excellent distraction for robbery. The burned-out structure could then be looted at leisure …—Tom Buckley
see also sexual predator
Tom BuckleySynonyms
Examples of predator in a Sentence
predators like bears and wolves
The population of rabbits is controlled by natural predators.
a corporate predator acquiring business rivals
Recent Examples on the Web
One drunken night in 1944, Mr. Carr killed his longtime predator in Riverside Park, stabbing him with his Boy Scout knife and rolling him into the Hudson River.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 24 May 2024
Trinidadian sipo snakes are predators, primarily eating frogs, and move between the forest floor, lower branches and treetop canopy, researchers said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for predator 
Penelope Green, New York Times, 24 May 2024
Trinidadian sipo snakes are predators, primarily eating frogs, and move between the forest floor, lower branches and treetop canopy, researchers said.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for predator
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near predator
Cite this Entry
“Predator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predator. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
predator
noun
pred·a·tor
ˈpred-ət-ər
-ə-ˌtȯ(ə)r
-ə-ˌtȯ(ə)r
: an animal that obtains food mostly by killing and eating other animals
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