predaceous

1 of 2

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

predacity

2 of 2

noun

pre·​dac·​i·​ty -dasətē How to pronounce predacity (audio)
plural -es
: the quality or state of being predacious
a boy … with plenty of drive and predacity—Max Lerner

Synonyms of predaceous

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Adjective

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Examples of predaceous in a Sentence

Adjective 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.
Adjective
These food-crops also benefit from the work performed by predaceous insects that control populations of crop-eating invertebrates. — Bruce Beehler, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2025 Biological control: Parasitic wasps, predaceous beetles and birds assist in lowering sawfly populations. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 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 Various species of aquatic insects, such as the predaceous diving beetle, use bubbles for breathing underwater. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2021 See All Example Sentences for predaceous

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

from predacious, after such pairs as English rapacious : rapacity

First Known Use

Adjective

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

pred
predaceous
predacity
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Cite this Entry

“Predaceous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predaceous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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