predatory
/ˈpredətri/ (bre, ipa) · [prˈɛdətˌɔri] /ˈpredətɔːri/ (ame, ipa) · [prˈɛdətˌɔri] /ˈpre-də-ˌtȯr-ē/ (ame, mw)
predatory — 形容詞
- predatorypositive
- more predatorycomparative
- most predatorysuperlative
1. describes an animal that hunts, kills, and feeds on other animals
掠食的
以捕獵其他動物為食的
describes an animal that hunts, kills, and feeds on other animals
Jiwoo watched a predatory hawk dive from the sky and snatch a lizard off the dry ground.
Jiwoo 看著一隻掠食的鷹從天空俯衝而下，從乾燥的地上抓起一隻蜥蜴。
predatory + bird name: describing an animal that hunts prey
The ranger pointed to a predatory crocodile half-hidden in the muddy pool near the water's edge.
管理員指向一隻半藏在岸邊泥水潭裡的掠食鱷魚。
A predatory dragonfly perched on a reed, its huge eyes searching for smaller insects to eat.
一隻掠食的蜻蜓停在蘆葦上，巨大的眼睛搜尋著更小的昆蟲來吃。
Sirin heard rustling in the bush — a predatory lynx was creeping towards a hare near the rocks.
Sirin 聽見灌木叢中傳來沙沙聲——一隻掠食的猞猁正悄悄靠近岩石附近的野兔。
- carnivorous
broader term that includes animals eating dead flesh (scavengers), not only hunters
- predacious
technical term used mostly in biology; rarer in everyday English
- hunting
less formal and less precise; can describe sport or human activity, not limited to animal behaviour
- herbivorous
describes animals that eat only plants
用法筆記
Used mainly in biology, ecology, and nature writing. Not the usual word for describing a pet cat or dog chasing a toy.
2. describes a person or business that takes advantage of others, especially those
掠奪的
利用他人弱點來謀取利益的
describes a person or business that takes advantage of others, especially those who are weaker, in order to gain money, power, or some other benefit
Selim refused to sign the predatory loan that charged forty percent interest each month.
Selim 拒絕簽署那份每月收取百分之四十利息的掠奪性貸款。
collocation: predatory loan — an unfair lending agreement
The journalist exposed a predatory landlord who doubled rents after the flood ruined half the building.
記者揭露了一位掠奪性的房東，在洪水毀掉半棟建築後將租金加倍。
Mateo's uncle warned him about predatory salespeople who push expensive deals on elderly customers.
Mateo 的叔叔警告他要小心那些向老年顧客推銷昂貴合約的掠奪性銷售員。
The court fined the company millions for using predatory pricing to drive smaller shops out of business.
法院對該公司處以數百萬罰款，因其使用掠奪性定價來迫使較小的商店倒閉。
Nia looked up from her phone and whispered that her new boss was charming but predatory.
Nia 從手機上抬起頭，低聲說她的新老闆雖然很有魅力，但也很會掠奪。
- exploitative
broader term for unfairly using someone's weakness; lacks the hunting imagery of predatory
- parasitic
implies living off a host without giving back; stronger than predatory in suggesting total dependence
- rapacious
formal term emphasising extreme greed and aggression; used for large-scale plunder
- opportunistic
describes taking advantage of situations as they arise, without the deliberate hunting implied by predatory
- benevolent
describes someone who acts kindly and seeks to help others rather than exploit them
- fair
treating everyone equally, the opposite of predatory business behaviour
用法筆記
Common in business and legal writing: predatory lending, predatory pricing, predatory takeover. The subject is typically a company, institution, or person in a position of power.
常見錯誤
3. behaving in a way that shows sexual interest too aggressively and obviously, mak
性侵略的
帶有性方面的侵略意圖
behaving in a way that shows sexual interest too aggressively and obviously, making other people feel unsafe or uncomfortable
Jessica felt uneasy when a predatory stranger at the bar kept staring and moving closer.
當酒吧裡一個性侵略的陌生人一直盯著看並越靠越近時，Jessica 感到很不自在。
predatory stranger — describing someone who makes unwanted sexual advances
The club promised to ban anyone who made predatory comments or touched people without asking first.
俱樂部承諾禁止任何發表性侵略言論或未經同意就觸碰他人的人。
Asher told his sister to avoid the senior manager whose predatory behaviour was well known around the office.
Asher 告訴他妹妹要避開那位資深經理，他在辦公室裡的性侵略行為眾所周知。
Kabir noticed a predatory look in the man's eyes and quickly guided his friend to a different table.
Kabir 注意到那男人眼中帶著性侵略的目光，迅速拉著朋友換到另一張桌子。
Benjamin warned the new staff about a predatory colleague who had been reported three times already.
Benjamin 警告新員工要小心一位已經被舉報三次的性侵略同事。
- lecherous
old-fashioned word specifically about excessive sexual desire; often sounds literary or dated
- lascivious
formal and legal register; used in court documents and official reports about sexual misconduct
- respectful
showing proper regard for other people's boundaries and comfort
- appropriate
behaving in a way that is socially acceptable and not threatening
用法筆記
Always implies behaviour that is unwanted and threatening. Do not use this word simply to describe someone who is direct or confident about expressing romantic interest. Distinguish from sense 2 (EXPLOITING OTHERS), which is about money or power rather than sexual conduct.