prey
noun
an animal hunted or seized for food, especially by a carnivorous animal.
had been preying
-
past perfect progressiveof prey.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The animal had been preying on the family’s sheep, and state investigators determined the killing was justified.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 13, 2019
And ever since that swimming pool had been preying on Etta’s mind.
From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers
A sail which was sighted displayed the Spanish colors, and, believing her to be one of the vessels that had been preying upon American commerce in the Pacific, Captain Porter hoisted the British flag.
From Dewey and Other Naval Commanders by Edward Sylvester Ellis
Although she knew so well what had been preying upon his mind since last evening, yet he had not once referred to the matter, and she had not dared to do so.
From Two Days' Solitary Imprisonment 1898 by Edward Bellamy
There was the disappointment about you—the first one, I mean—that had been preying on his mind for a long time.
From Cashel Byron's Profession by Bernard Shaw
