prey
noun
an animal hunted or seized for food, especially by a carnivorous animal.
were preying
-
past progressiveof prey.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Cardiff captain Liam Belcher came on for his international debut when he replaced Lake, but Japan were preying on Wales' indiscipline, poor line-out and general fatigue.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2025
Wiedenmann was convinced: The corals were preying on the algae.
From Science Magazine ● Aug. 22, 2023
Only fish and game officials could authorize killing them, if they were preying on humans or livestock.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2022
Barnum, or whoever else, did you ever find yourself having sort of sympathy for them as showmen, even if they were preying on people?
From Slate ● Nov. 21, 2017
I was young and inexperienced, and knew not how to speak, to divert his mind from the painful feelings that were preying upon him; thus we sat silent for hours, until we reached Musselburgh.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various
