plural prey also preys
preyed; preying
1
a
: to seize and devour prey
b
: to commit violence or robbery or fraud
2
: to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect
worry preyed upon his mind
3
: to make raids for the sake of booty
preyer
noun
Examples of prey in a Sentence
Noun
The lion stalked its prey.
The bird circled above looking for prey.
The seals are easy prey for sharks.
Too often elderly people are easy prey for swindlers and other criminals.
Verb
a fox has been preying on the chickens
Recent Examples on the Web
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
The carnivorous species can hunt both from the trees and the ground, catching prey with 2-inch teeth, which are very long relative to their body size, the San Diego Zoo says.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
It, the 2017 movie about murderous clown Pennywise, who preys on children, is headed out at the beginning of the month.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey
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Noun
Despite its tiny size, the Etruscan shrew is a fierce and fast hunter, relying on speed and agility to catch its prey.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
The carnivorous species can hunt both from the trees and the ground, catching prey with 2-inch teeth, which are very long relative to their body size, the San Diego Zoo says.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
And if that happened, the shark, which preys on squid and other cephalopods, might have taken the opportunity to make a meal out of its unexpected passenger.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
It, the 2017 movie about murderous clown Pennywise, who preys on children, is headed out at the beginning of the month.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey
Cite this Entry
“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prey
2 of 2 verb
preyed; preying
1
a
: to seize and eat something as prey
b
: to do violent or dishonest acts
robbers who preyed on travelers
2
: to have a harmful effect
fears that prey on the mind
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