prey
prey Lexical Profile
prey Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food.
"The owl swooped down silently from the branch to capture its prey."
A person or thing that is easily harmed, deceived, or exploited by someone or something.
"Uninformed consumers are often easy prey for fraudulent investment schemes."
• verb
To hunt and kill another animal for food (usually followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"Ladybugs are beneficial to gardens because they prey on destructive aphids."
To take unfair advantage of, exploit, or harm someone vulnerable (usually followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"Online scammers frequently prey upon elderly citizens by impersonating government officials."
To cause constant worry, distress, or obsession to someone's mind (followed by 'on' or 'upon').
"Theunresolved ethical dilemma continued to prey on her mind for weeks."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'prey' (an animal hunted for food, or to exploit) with its homophone 'pray' (to address a deity or wish fervently). As a verb, 'prey' is nearly always followed by the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
• Rhymes for prey
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English, from Old French 'preie' (booty, animal taken in hunting), derived from Latin 'praeda' (plunder, spoils of war, game).