rapacious

Pronunciation: /ɹəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
  2. adjective excessively greedy and grasping
  3. adjective devouring or craving food in great quantities

Etymology

Perhaps from rapacity + -ous, in any case ultimately from Latin rapāx (“grasping, greedy”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

predatory, raptorial, ravening, vulturine, vulturous

Semantic network

Similar
aggressive

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