prey

noun

ˈprā How to pronounce prey (audio)
Definition of preynext
1
as in quarry
an animal that is hunted or killed rabbits are common prey for owls and hawks

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2
as in victim
a person or thing harmed, lost, or destroyed he fell prey to nagging—but groundless—doubts about his wife's fidelity

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3
as in target
a person or thing that is the object of abuse, criticism, or ridicule that woman has a sharp tongue, and her favored prey is her long-suffering husband

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prey The story follows a celebrated pediatric heart surgeon whose daughter falls prey to a vengeful ghost. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Calvin’s eager-to-please son, Wade (Charlie Heaton), watches his captain fall prey to unnaturally turning tides. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026 Chances of encountering a shark in Southern California are higher in October, when warmer coastal waters attract both prey and juvenile sharks. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026 To give the episodes shape, each is broken up into several mini-narratives, such as a mother cheetah learning to adapt her hunting style to mountainous rocky terrain in order to catch prey for her hungry cubs. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prey
  1. quarry
  2. victim
  3. target
  4. casualty
Noun
  • The following evening, guests gathered at Carrières des Lumières, a former limestone quarry turned immersive art space in Les Baux-de-Provence, for the welcome party.
    — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Firefighters freed a worker stuck in an underground quarry in Derry Township, Westmoreland County, on Wednesday evening.
    — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of quarry
Noun
  • The Baton Rouge Police Department identified the victims as 21-year-old Leah Fonte and 21-year-old Shane Hirstius, who were engaged.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has begun notifying victims impacted by a recent data breach of driver’s license and motor vehicle data, but not everyone whose information was stolen will receive an alert.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • President Emmanuel Macron has been the primary target of scorn following nationwide riots that overtook Paris and other cities, but the insurgent National Rally does not want to let mainstream conservatives off the hook.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Las Vegas’ Michael Mayer (six receptions, 32 yards) was a frequent target.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • Overnight, Russia struck energy and civilian targets across Ukraine, resulting in at least one casualty, according to local media reports.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense and mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply and casualty evacuation on several remote islands, including Tanegashima.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of casualty

Phrases Containing prey

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previsions
prey
preyed (on or upon)
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Cite this Entry

“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prey. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prey

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prey

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