好词典

predatory

UK //ˈpredətri//US //ˈpredətɔːri//

词源

源自拉丁语 'praedatorius',意为'掠夺的',由 'praedari'(掠夺)派生而来,最早用于描述动物的猎食行为,后引申至人类活动领域。

adjective

❶ 形容动物以捕食其他动物为生的特性,指其猎食行为。也用于形容人或组织以剥削他人为手段的掠夺性行为。

“Lions are predatory animals that hunt for their food.”

(狮子是捕食性动物,靠猎食为生。)

“The company was accused of predatory pricing to drive competitors out of business.”

(该公司被指控采用掠夺性定价策略来挤垮竞争对手。)

同义词:hunting, rapacious, exploitative, predacious, voracious

常见短语

predatory behavior — 指具有掠夺性或剥削性的行为,常用于描述商业或动物界的攻击性行为。

“The regulator is investigating the bank for predatory behavior towards small businesses.”

(监管机构正在调查该银行针对小企业的掠夺性行为。)

predatory instincts — 指动物与生俱来的猎食本能,或比喻人具有强烈的竞争或掠夺倾向。

“The cat's predatory instincts were aroused by the movement of the toy mouse.”

(玩具老鼠的动作唤起了猫咪的捕食本能。)