Synonyms
Examples of prey in a Sentence
Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2023
This problem would be impossible in any realistic timeframe on a conventional supercomputer but could fall prey to a large-enough quantum computer in less than a day.
—IEEE Spectrum, 13 Sep. 2023
In that year, declining numbers of their fish prey led to only about a quarter of the birds fledging chicks.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Sep. 2023
Warming seas have threatened the Greek table, devastating mussel harvests and bringing an army of invasive fish that prey on traditional catches such as squid and snapper.
—Elinda Labropoulou, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
This discovery may allow his team to closely study the still mysterious ways these fungi manipulate and kill their prey.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2023
When their father appears to change his mind — swooping into the city to find human prey, slicing them open with a curved dagger and removing their hearts to be liquified in a blender and drunk as a blood smoothie — the five grasping siblings descend on the house, all resentful entitlement.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2023
The study’s findings highlight a need for more research into how heat affects fish cognition at all latitudes and in different species, predator and prey alike, with the potential for cascading ecosystem changes.
—Rebecca Dzombak, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023
But the families are also worried about the children’s health and afraid that some could fall prey to trafficking.
—David L. Stern, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2023
Joel Khalili, WIRED, 7 Sep. 2023
Frost allegedly used the same tactics to prey on him.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2023
Brown bears are also more likely to prey on newborn ungulates (like fawns and moose calves) than black bears, and are also more likely to attempt killing adult ungulates.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 16 Aug. 2023
All student loan borrowers should be hyper-aware of scam artists who prey upon those seeking relief or assistance.
—Tara Siegel Bernard, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023
Contributor Once hailed as a frontier of global connectivity and knowledge sharing, the Internet has become a battleground where hackers and cybercriminals prey on the ill-informed and underprepared.
—Nick Kasmik, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023
This may result in creatures who prey on chipmunks—such as hawks—becoming exposed to the poison, too, says Mengak.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 30 Aug. 2023
That’s because there are so many animals that prey on smolts.
—oregonlive, 27 Aug. 2023
Those parents opposed to casinos argue that the gambling companies are using their children in a cynical ploy to win community support for a development that will prey on their neighbors.
—James Barron, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prey.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Noun
Middle English preie, from Anglo-French, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at get
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Phrases Containing prey
Dictionary Entries Near prey
Cite this Entry
“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
prey
2 of 2 verb
More from Merriam-Webster on prey
Nglish: Translation of prey for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of prey for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prey
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