p-r-e-d-a-t-o-r
PREDATOR is an animal that naturally preys on others. In broader usage, it refers to any person or entity that ruthlessly exploits others.
11
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
PREDATOR is an organism that hunts, captures, and consumes other organisms for sustenance. From the microscopic world of bacteria to the African savanna's apex hunters, predators are essential components of every ecosystem, maintaining balance through natural population control. Beyond biology, the term has expanded to describe humans or entities that exploit others - from sexual predators to predatory lenders. This metaphorical use highlights the fundamental characteristic of predation: taking advantage of vulnerability for personal gain. Whether in nature or society, predators seek out and exploit the weak, making the term both a biological classification and a moral judgment.Types and characteristics of predators:
The word predator comes from the Latin praedator, meaning "plunderer" or "robber." This derives from praedari meaning "to plunder, pillage, or rob," which itself comes from praeda meaning "booty, plunder, or prey." The Latin root reveals that the original concept focused on taking by force or robbery, rather than specifically hunting for food. The prefix prae- means "before" and combines with dare "to give," suggesting "taking before it is given" - essentially theft. Predator entered English in the 1920s as a biological term, replacing the older "beast of prey." The human behavioral meaning - someone who exploits others - emerged in the 1970s, particularly in psychology and criminology. The science fiction film "Predator" (1987) popularized the term in popular culture, cementing its association with ruthless, calculating hunters.
•Orcas are apex predators that hunt great white sharks by flipping them upside down
•The mantis shrimp punches prey with the force of a bullet, creating cavitation bubbles
•Some plants are predators - Venus flytraps and pitcher plants consume insects
•Dragonflies are the most successful predators on Earth with a 95% hunting success rate
"The hawk circled overhead, a patient predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike."
"Online safety experts warn parents about digital predators targeting children through gaming platforms."
"The introduction of wolves as apex predators restored balance to the Yellowstone ecosystem."
Words with similar meaning
Hunter
One who hunts
Carnivore
Meat eater
Raptor
Bird of prey
Beast of prey
Hunting animal
Words with opposite meaning
Prey
Hunted animal
Herbivore
Plant eater
Victim
One who suffers
Protector
One who defends
Adjective Form
predatory
Predatory behavior alarmed parents.
Verb Form
predate
Lions predate on zebras.
Act of Hunting
predation
Predation controls populations.
Related Terms
Top of food chain
Ecological interaction
Native hunter species
Shorter words within PREDATOR:
Predator-prey relationships drive evolution through an endless arms race. As prey develop better defenses - speed, camouflage, toxins - predators evolve enhanced hunting abilities. Cheetahs became the fastest land animals to catch swift gazelles. Bats developed echolocation to hunt in darkness. This co-evolution has produced nature's most remarkable adaptations, from the chameleon's color-changing skin to the electric eel's stunning defense.
Predators are ecosystem engineers. When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, they didn't just control deer populations - they changed the physical geography. By preventing overgrazing, wolves allowed forests to regenerate, which stabilized riverbanks and created habitats for countless species. This "trophic cascade" demonstrates how predators shape entire landscapes, making them keystone species essential for biodiversity.
Humans are history's most successful predators, but we've transcended traditional predation. Through agriculture and technology, we've become "super-predators" who kill for reasons beyond sustenance - sport, profit, convenience. Our impact exceeds any natural predator: we've driven countless species to extinction and altered global ecosystems. Understanding our role as apex predators is crucial for conservation and sustainable living.
Predator vs. Scavenger
Kills prey vs. eats dead animals
Predator vs. Parasite
Kills prey vs. lives on host
Carnivore vs. Predator
Diet type vs. hunting behavior
Other valuable predatory animal words in Scrabble
Total base points: 11 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 5
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like PREDATOR