predator
Stalker of prey
A predator is an animal that hunts and kills other animals for food: Lions are apex predators on the African savanna.
The term extends to people who exploit or victimize others, especially in sexual contexts: a sexual predator, online predators targeting children.
In business, a predator is a company that aggressively pursues acquisitions or seeks to destroy competitors.
The word carries connotations of stealth, aggression, and the ruthless pursuit of prey—whether literal or figurative.
Maned African feline
- tigerLarge striped Asian feline
- wolfWild pack canine
- sharkCartilaginous marine predator
- eagleLarge predatory bird
cheetah · leopard · hyena · orca · crocodile · alligator · python · grizzly
Plant's vertical support
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
camouflage · prowl · lurk · pounce · chase · hunt · trap · snare
One who uses unfairly
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- abuserOne who mistreats others
- groomerOne who tends coats
- stalkerObsessive, unwelcome follower
harasser · trafficker · offender · victimizer · perpetrator · prowler · opportunist · con-artist
Animal gripping nails
- fangsSharp piercing teeth
- talonsHooked bird claws
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- jawsMouth's bony framework
venom · speed · agility · strength · senses · eyesight · hearing · smell
Uppermost point or culmination
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- populationAll inhabitants combined
control · keystone · trophic · biodiversity · reintroduction · conservation · endangered · invasive
lion
Maned African feline
eagle · cheetah · leopard · hyena · orca · crocodile · alligator · python · grizzly · panther
stalk
Plant's vertical support
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
stealth · camouflage · prowl · lurk · pounce · chase · hunt · trap · snare · instinct
exploiter
One who uses unfairly
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- abuserOne who mistreats others
- groomerOne who tends coats
stalker · harasser · trafficker · offender · victimizer · perpetrator · prowler · opportunist · con-artist · swindler
claws
Animal gripping nails
jaws · venom · speed · agility · strength · senses · eyesight · hearing · smell · camouflage
apex
Uppermost point or culmination
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
population · control · keystone · trophic · biodiversity · reintroduction · conservation · endangered · invasive · native
lethal
Causing or capable of death
- deadlyAble to cause expiration
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
- viciousCruelly aggressive in nature
aggressive · savage · fierce · menacing · ruthless · merciless · brutal · intimidating · venomous · threatening
fear
Emotional response to threat
alarm · panic · defense · camouflage · hide · evade · warning · flight · survival · instinct
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- ecosystemecosystem, ecosystems, biome, habitat, food chain
- African Safarielephant, elephants, lions, zebras, zebra
- Beastsbeast, monster, bull, elephant, tiger
- dangersdanger, peril, hazard, risk, menace
- meat eaterscarnivore, carnivores, meat eater, meat-eaters, hunter
predatorherbivore
Plant-only consumer
vegetarian · grazer · browser · plant-eater · frugivore
- natural predatorsAnimals that inherently hunt others
- sexual predatorOne who exploits others
- apex predatorsDominant hunters, no natural enemies
- predatory lendingExploitative loan terms
- predatory fishCarnivore of the waters
- predator and prey
predatory, predate, predators, predation, predated, depredation, predates, predating, depredate