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.
During Tuesday’s sentencing, Escobedo noted Halem had preyed on individuals who “perhaps shouldn’t be seen as victims, because they were criminals themselves,” but that that didn’t excuse his actions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Conservationists said a post-mortem examination had confirmed an otter had preyed on one of the kits.
From BBC ● Feb. 16, 2023
His conviction, after years of dodging accusations that he had preyed on women, had seemed to cap the downfall of one of the world’s best-known entertainers.
From New York Times ● Jun. 30, 2021
Last summer, amid revelations that ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick had preyed on adult seminarians, DiNardo used his pulpit to apologize for the leadership’s failures.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2019
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
