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
For years the Moorish powers of Africa had been preying upon the commerce of the Mediterranean, until the weaker nations of Europe were obliged to pay an annual tribute for the security of their commerce.
From Historic Tales, Vol. 1 (of 15) The Romance of Reality by Charles Morris
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
Upon this occasion, Jane was frightened into hysterics, and afterwards, owing to the agitation which had been preying on her mind for some months, she was thrown into a low nervous fever.
From Elinor Wyllys, Volume 1 by Susan Fenimore Cooper
