Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Resembling or characteristic of a vulture, especially in being predatory or rapacious: Describes behavior that is aggressively greedy, exploitative, or preys upon others, often in a ruthless or unscrupulous manner.
   • Living by preying on other animals: Pertaining to a predatory nature, seizing or feeding on living prey.

Usage

The adjective "vulturous" is used to describe a person, entity, or behavior that exhibits qualities similar to a vulture. It strongly implies exploitation, greed, and a readiness to take advantage of the vulnerable or weak. It is a formal and literary term, often carrying a negative and critical connotation.

Examples

• The vulturous creditors circled the bankrupt company, waiting to seize its remaining assets.
• His vulturous interest in the inheritance scandal disgusted the family.
• The documentary exposed the vulturous tactics of some payday loan companies.

Advanced Usage

• "vulturous appetite/interest": An intense, greedy, and often morbid desire for something, especially at another's expense.
  • The tabloids showed a vulturous interest in the celebrity's personal tragedy.

Variants and Related Words

• Vulturine (adj): Having the qualities of a vulture; predatory. This is a direct synonym and variant form.
• Predatory (adj): Seeking to exploit or oppress others.
• Rapacious (adj): Aggressively greedy or grasping.
• Raptorial (adj): Adapted for seizing prey; predatory.

Synonyms

• Predatory
• Rapacious
• Exploitative
• Grasping
• Ravenous (in a figurative sense)

Antonyms

• Altruistic
• Benevolent
• Generous
• Philanthropic

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Like vultures circling: Behaving in a vulturous manner, waiting to take advantage of a desperate or failing situation.
  • As the firm neared collapse, rival companies were like vultures circling.

Adjective

1. living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
   • a predatory bird
   • the rapacious wolf
   • raptorial birds
   • ravening wolves
   • a vulturine taste for offal