predaceous

adjective

pre·​da·​ceous pri-ˈdā-shəs How to pronounce predaceous (audio)
variants or predacious
Synonyms of predaceousnext
1
: living by preying on other animals : predatory
2
usually predacious : tending to devour or despoil : rapacious
predaceousness noun
predacity
pri-ˈda-sə-tē How to pronounce predaceous (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of predaceous in a Sentence

the predaceous animals of the jungle, with the tiger at the top of the food chain
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Look for and conserve natural enemies such as predaceous bugs, lacewings, lady beetles, and syrphids. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025 Biden officials are offering up to 30,000 migrants per month a two-year permit to live and work in the United States under the terms of the program, and say such legal pathways are successfully steering migrants toward a safer and more orderly option than the one offered by predacious smugglers. — Nick Miroff, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin praedari to prey upon (from praeda prey) + English -aceous or -acious (as in rapacious) — more at prey entry 2

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of predaceous was in 1713

Rhymes for predaceous

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Predaceous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predaceous. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

predaceous

adjective
pre·​da·​ceous
variants or predacious
pri-ˈdā-shəs How to pronounce predaceous (audio)
: living by preying on others : predatory sense 2
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