prey
an animal hunted or seized for food, especially by a carnivorous animal.
a person or thing that is the victim of an enemy, a swindler, a disease, etc: a con man looking for his next prey.
the action or habit of preying: a beast of prey.
Archaic. booty or plunder.
to seize and devour prey, as an animal does (usually followed by on or upon): Foxes prey on rabbits.
to make raids or attacks for booty or plunder: The Vikings preyed on coastal settlements.
to exert a harmful or destructive influence: His worries preyed upon his mind.
to victimize another or others (usually followed by on or upon): loan sharks that prey upon poor people.
Idioms about prey
fall prey (to), to be victimized, harmed, or killed: chickens that fell prey to a hawk;fall prey to internet scams.
Origin of prey
1Other words for prey
Other words from prey
- preyer, noun
- un·prey·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with prey
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use prey in a sentence
A kukri snake saws into its prey using its teeth like a steak knife, he says.
This snake rips open a living toad to feast on its organs | Erin Garcia de Jesus | November 16, 2020 | Science News For StudentsWhen an insect lands to sip the nectar, the carnivorous sundew slowly curls its leaves around it, releasing digestive enzymes that liquify its unsuspecting prey into a digestible meal.
These Photos Remind Us Why Conservation Matters - Issue 92: Frontiers | Kevin Berger | November 11, 2020 | NautilusIt could have helped them grow big enough to take on bigger prey.
Attack of the inner-cannibal mega-shark | Carolyn Gramling | November 10, 2020 | Science News For StudentsUnlike most birds of prey, these couples don’t merely tolerate each other.
Three love stories about birds that will delight your heart | Laura Erickson | November 6, 2020 | Popular-ScienceBrevicaudosaurus jiyangshanensis may have lurked on the shallow seafloor, floating motionless until unsuspecting prey got too close, say researchers, who describe the new species October 28 in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
A surprisingly tiny ancient sea monster lurked in shallow waters | Aayushi Pratap | November 4, 2020 | Science News
Meet the psychics preying on the elderly with a mail-order moneymaking gig that netted them millions a year.
Being a predator and preying on underage kids makes you a predator.
‘Dozens and Dozens’ of Hollywood Sex Assault Victims Coming Forward, Lawyer Says | Tim Teeman | May 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOne familiar trope in the news cycle is the female high school and middle school teacher preying on a male student.
But young men have been “preying” on young women since the dawn of time.
‘Fantasy Slut League’: Earning Points for Sexual Encounters in High School | Lizzie Crocker | October 26, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTFinally, there are criminal elements that seem to be preying on all sides of the conflict.
Syria’s Propaganda Cloud: How the West Is Falling for Misinformation | Riad al Khouri | June 22, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTHe may have meant no more than Emerson, who pictured ill health as a ghoul preying on the heart and life of its victims.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel ConwayWhat to do for the best was the question preying upon both minds.
St. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878 | VariousAnd in how many millions of homes was this same thing going on—this licensed preying of one personality upon another?
Love's Pilgrimage | Upton SinclairI found afterwards that he was lying to me and was preying upon my love for mother.
The Daffodil Mystery | Edgar WallaceTo save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit.
Camilla | Fanny Burney
British Dictionary definitions for prey
/ (preɪ) /
an animal hunted or captured by another for food
a person or thing that becomes the victim of a hostile person, influence, etc
beast of prey an animal that preys on others for food
bird of prey a bird that preys on others for food
an archaic word for booty 1
to hunt or seize food by killing other animals
to make a victim (of others), as by profiting at their expense
to exert a depressing or obsessive effect (on the mind, spirits, etc); weigh heavily (upon)
Origin of prey
1Derived forms of prey
- preyer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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