plural prey also preys
1
a
: an animal taken by a predator as food
b
: one that is helpless or unable to resist attack : victim
was prey to his own appetites
2
: the act or habit of preying
preyed; preying
1
a
: to seize and devour prey
b
: to commit violence or robbery or fraud
2
: to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect
worry preyed upon his mind
3
: to make raids for the sake of booty
preyer
noun
Examples of prey in a Sentence
Noun
The lion stalked its prey.
The bird circled above looking for prey.
The seals are easy prey for sharks.
Too often elderly people are easy prey for swindlers and other criminals.
Verb
a fox has been preying on the chickens
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
As prey moved deeper or disappeared in warming waters, marine mammals were forced to travel farther and work harder to find food, leaving more stranded or in distress along the coast.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Scammers are also preying on emotions, hoping consumers will make a quick purchase before thinking.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prey
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Noun
But for predatory species that need prey to eat, growing them in a lab is more challenging.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
As prey moved deeper or disappeared in warming waters, marine mammals were forced to travel farther and work harder to find food, leaving more stranded or in distress along the coast.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Verb
This prosecution and the Court’s imposition of a long prison term should serve as a stark warning for anyone who may use technology to prey upon children.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
Scammers are also preying on emotions, hoping consumers will make a quick purchase before thinking.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prey
Cite this Entry
“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prey
2 of 2 verb
preyed; preying
1
a
: to seize and eat something as prey
b
: to do violent or dishonest acts
robbers who preyed on travelers
2
: to have a harmful effect
fears that prey on the mind
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