predator — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Any animal or other organism that hunts and kills other nonplant organisms (their prey), primarily for food.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Hives should be positioned, oriented and protected to avoid predators and ensure survival in the meliponary. A study (pers. obs.) of predators shows that the main culprits in a Malaysian meliponary are frogs and lizards.

   So if you're the only thing worth eating in the middle of the ocean, the predator that grabs you will probably have gotten there by a Levy walk.

2. Someone who attacks and plunders for gain.

   Usage

   • Informal

   Synonyms

   vulture

3. A sexual predator.

   Usage

   • Informal
   • Slang

Noun

1. someone who attacks in search of booty

   Synonyms

   maraudervulturepiranha

   Broader terms

   attackeraggressorassailantassaulter

2. any animal that lives by preying on other animals

   Synonyms

   predatory animal

   Broader terms

   animalanimate beingbeastbrutecreaturefauna