different between predatory vs mercenary

English

Alternative forms

• prædatory (archaic)

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin praedatorius.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p?ed?t??i/

Adjective

predatory (comparative more predatory, superlative most predatory)

1. Of, or relating to a predator.
2. Living by preying on other living animals.
3. (figuratively) Exploiting or victimizing others for personal gain.

Derived terms

• predatory pricing

Related terms

• predaceous, predacious
• predator

Translations

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “predatory”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Anagrams

• portrayed

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin merc?n?rius (“hired for money”), from merc?s (“reward, wages, price”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?m??.s?.n?.?i/, /?m??.s?n.?i/
• (General American) enPR: mûr?s?-n?r'?, IPA^(key): /?m?s??n??i/
• Hyphenation: mer?ce?na?ry

Noun

mercenary (plural mercenaries)

1. (archaic) One motivated by gain, especially monetary.
2. A person employed to fight in an armed conflict who is not a member of the state or military group for which they are fighting and whose primary motivation is private gain.
3. (figuratively) One hired to engage in a figurative battle, as a corporate takeover, a lawsuit, or a political campaign.

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:mercenary

Hyponyms

• condottiere, freelance, gallowglass, Landsknecht, lansquenet, Mamertine, routier, turcopole

Translations

Adjective

mercenary (comparative more mercenary, superlative most mercenary)

1. Motivated by private gain.

Synonyms

• (motivated by private gain): greedy, venal
• (hired for a figurative battle): hired gun

Translations

See also

• soldier

Further reading

• mercenary at OneLook Dictionary Search
• mercenary in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.