plural prey also preys
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
Synonyms
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
Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
Even so, its mere existence has drawn willing prey into Anderson’s front room.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2025
Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Relationship challenges: People-pleasers are often targets for manipulative individuals in personal and professional settings, such as narcissists, psychopaths and sociopaths, who will prey on the kindness and need to please from the people-pleaser.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prey 
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Noun
Pets often resemble crocodiles’ natural prey which can be deadly.
—Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
Even so, its mere existence has drawn willing prey into Anderson’s front room.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
The organization is one of several citizen groups formed in recent years across the U.S. to expose those who might prey on children.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
Relationship challenges: People-pleasers are often targets for manipulative individuals in personal and professional settings, such as narcissists, psychopaths and sociopaths, who will prey on the kindness and need to please from the people-pleaser.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prey
Dictionary Entries Near prey
Cite this Entry
“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
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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