predatory approach

7.4

An aggressive, unfair way of trying to gain an advantage over others in business

noun
/ˈprɛdətɔri əˈproʊtʃ/

: enfoque depredador

The company's predatory approach to acquiring smaller firms raised ethical concerns.

Examples

Many firms criticize their rivals' predatory approach to acquiring smaller companies.
The court investigated whether the corporation's predatory approach breached fair competition laws.
Her predatory approach to negotiations left many competitors wary of working with her.
Many critics argue that a predatory approach harms competition.
Her predatory approach to negotiations left many competitors wary of working with her.
Many firms criticize their rivals' predatory approach to acquiring smaller companies.
The court investigated whether the corporation's predatory approach breached fair competition laws.

Synonyms

manipulative tactic

vspredatory approach

7.2

A plan to control people by tricking them

is more openly aggressive and focused on exploiting others for advantage

Antonyms

cooperativeness

1 3.6

A willingness to work with other people to reach a common goal

How Predatory

predatory approach

7.4

aggressiveness

3 4.4

Surface Forms

predatory approach singular

predatory approaches plural

Morphology

predatory + approach

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from the adjective 'predatory' (acting to take advantage ruthlessly) modifying the noun 'approach' (method or strategy), so a learner who knows both words can infer an aggressive, exploitative method. This adjective+noun combination is a standard, cross-linguistically common compositional pattern and therefore should be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

Predatory approach comes from the image of a hunting animal. A predatory animal sneaks up on weaker prey and attacks to 'take advantage', so an approach like that in business means being aggressive and 'taking advantage' of others.