taloned

Armed with claws

Taloned means having talons—the sharp, curved claws of birds of prey.

The word usually describes raptors like eagles, hawks, and owls: a taloned foot gripped the branch.

Figuratively, taloned can characterize anything claw-like or grasping: her taloned fingers clutched the armrest.

sensename

raptor

Hunting bird with talons

eagleLarge predatory bird
falconSwift bird of prey
hawkTaloned predatory bird

owl · osprey · kestrel · peregrine · vulture · condor · harrier · buzzard · accipiter · harpy

sharp

hooked

Deeply dependent or bent

curvedSmoothly bent, not angular
pointedTapering to a tip
piercingPenetrating or very sharp

razor · serrated · keen · cutting · raking · slashing · gouging · tearing · lacerating · needle-sharp

predatory

hunter

Pursuer of prey

predatorOrganism that consumes others
carnivoreCreature eating only animals
swoopRapid downward plunge

plunge · ambush · strike · stoop · dive · pursuit · stalking · kill · prey · scavenger

gripping

grasp

Seize or understand

clutchMechanism linking engine to gearbox
seizeTake suddenly, forcibly
clenchSqueeze tightly shut

grip · snatch · capture · perch · latch · clasp · grapple · hold · pounce · swoop

Categories

bird traitsfeathered, plumed, plumage, plumaged, beaky
bird featuresbeak, bill, plumage, feathered, winged

Opposites

claw possession

talonedclawless

Missing gripping appendages

hoofed · webbed · fingered · padded · toed

predatory capacity

talonedunarmed

Having no weapons

declawed · defenceless · harmless · weaponless · defenseless

tactile quality

talonedpadded

Filled with soft material

gentle · blunt · smooth · cushioned

Phrases

Family

talon, talons, talonlike

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G