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
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2025
Their larvae live in small holes in the turf and wait for their prey to walk by.
—Kevin Gepford, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
Sean Neumann, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
It is believed that this snake preyed on large vertebrates, such as crocodiles, and used constriction to overpower its prey, similar to modern-day anacondas.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey
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Noun
The research team used advanced 3D imaging technology to find the ancient ant had many features similar to modern dirt ants, including distinctive mandibles with 12 triangular teeth for catching prey.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2025
Their larvae live in small holes in the turf and wait for their prey to walk by.
—Kevin Gepford, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
Detectives found that Kappen, who was eventually identified as the killer decades later, had preyed on the girls outside of nightclubs on Saturday nights and lured them to his car before raping and killing them, according to Yorkshire Live.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 12 Apr. 2025
It is believed that this snake preyed on large vertebrates, such as crocodiles, and used constriction to overpower its prey, similar to modern-day anacondas.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey
Cite this Entry
“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey. Accessed 22 Apr. 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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