prey on/upon
phrasal verb
preyed on/upon; preying on/upon; preys on/upon
1
: to hunt and kill (something) for food
The wolves prey on small animals.
2
: to hurt, cheat, or steal from (someone)
criminals who prey on lonely elderly people
Examples of prey on/upon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Marine organisms like horn sharks, dolphins and sea lions prey on them.
—
Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
The numerous small white flowers attract syrphid flies (a.k.a. hover or flower flies), ladybeetles, and parasitic wasps, all of which prey upon aphids.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Stomach content analysis shows the animals frequently prey on squirrels, rabbits, small deer, birds and small rodents, according to a 2017 DEEP study.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
These predators and parasitoids prey upon a variety of small-bodied garden pests such as aphids,
whiteflies, insect eggs, and young caterpillars.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey on/upon
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Jules Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
The numerous small white flowers attract syrphid flies (a.k.a. hover or flower flies), ladybeetles, and parasitic wasps, all of which prey upon aphids.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Stomach content analysis shows the animals frequently prey on squirrels, rabbits, small deer, birds and small rodents, according to a 2017 DEEP study.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
These predators and parasitoids prey upon a variety of small-bodied garden pests such as aphids,
whiteflies, insect eggs, and young caterpillars.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey on/upon
Cite this Entry
“Prey on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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