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
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
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Grass lines in 8 to 15 feet of water make a perfect location for ambushing their prey and hiding from other predatory fish like muskies.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
James Duckett, a former Mascotte police officer accused of preying on 11-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987, was scheduled for execution on Tuesday.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prey
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Noun
While none of this comes as any surprise to God, the Apostle Paul worried about believers falling prey to people who teach false gospels.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Grass lines in 8 to 15 feet of water make a perfect location for ambushing their prey and hiding from other predatory fish like muskies.
—Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The former reality star was arrested by the FBI in March 2021 —while cameras were rolling for the Bravo series — on charges in connection with allegedly running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme that preyed on the elderly.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026
James Duckett, a former Mascotte police officer accused of preying on 11-year-old Teresa McAbee in 1987, was scheduled for execution on Tuesday.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 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 5 Apr. 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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