prey
noun
an animal hunted or seized for food, especially by a carnivorous animal.
had preyed
-
past perfectof prey.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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 prosecution argued during the trial that Morgan had preyed on Lee when Lee was in mental decline in the last months of his life, and acted without authority on his behalf.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 1, 2022
On Feb. 3, Martins was contacted after the animal had preyed on some livestock.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2019
Police in Mexico had preyed on her; police in the US might turn her over to immigration authorities.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 13, 2017
He said Ormond had "preyed" on him because he had been vulnerable, as his father had been seriously ill with bowel cancer at the time.
From BBC ● Nov. 30, 2016
The top-drawer business had preyed on his mind till he had determined to be un-gentlemanly in earnest, if everybody accused him of being so.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
