PREDATOR is an animal that naturally preys on others. In broader usage, it refers to any person or entity that ruthlessly exploits others.
Yes. PREDATOR is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 11 points in Scrabble, 12 in Words With Friends and 12 in Wordfeud (base tile values, no board multipliers). Always check the dictionary your game uses (NWL, Collins or the WWF list) before playing.
| Letter | P | R | E | D | A | T | O | R | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrabble | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Words With Friends | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Wordfeud | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
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: Apex predators: Top of food chain - lions, sharks, eagles Ambush predators: Lie in wait - crocodiles, spiders, anglerfish Pursuit predators: Chase prey - cheetahs, wolves, dolphins Pack hunters: Cooperative hunting - wolves, orcas, hyenas Human predators: Exploit vulnerable people - criminals, abusers
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.
Anagrams: PARROTEDPRORATEDPROTRADETEARDROP
Hooks: no front hooks; back PREDATORS, PREDATORY.
Words inside PREDATOR: 232 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: PARROTEDPRORATEDPROTRADETEARDROPADOPTEREARDROPREADOPTDEPARTDEPORTDORPERDRAPERPARRED. See all words from PREDATOR.