be/fall prey to
idiom
1
: to be killed by (an animal, disease, etc.)
The deer fell prey to coyotes.
Many people fell prey to disease.
2
: to be harmed or affected in a bad way by (someone or something)
After the accident, she was prey to all kinds of anxieties.
Some of his friends fell prey to drugs.
Examples of be/fall prey to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even money and means can fall prey to mental illness.
—
Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023
All too often, people fall prey to a cognitive phenomenon that behavioral economist Richard Thaler has spoken eloquently about, Duke said.
—Jena McGregor, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
The Federal Trade Commission cautioned last week that people affected by wildfires on Maui could potentially fall prey to scammers who typically target victims after a disaster occurs.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2023
Beware of risky clicks Paul Fabara, Visa’s chief risk officer, said phishing attacks — in which cardholders receive emails, texts or even WhatsApp messages demanding an urgent response — remain the top way people fall prey to financial scams.
—Chris Velazco, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2023
If a rug is left in water too long or neglected in general, even the best indoor/outdoor rugs can fall prey to dirt and moisture and develop mildew.
—Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2023
What is guaranteed is that Mississippi won’t be the last state where people fall prey to the fast-emerging threat of C. auris and other fungal pathogens.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 9 Feb. 2023
But few things are more boring than lists which fall prey to this timing gimmick.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 14 Dec. 2022
The ideals of uninhibited public discourse, a universal digital library and fair opportunities to participate in science and culture fall prey to a clearance culture of fines, fees, filters and denied requests for permission.
—Hannibal Travis, The Conversation, 22 May 2023
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Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2023
All too often, people fall prey to a cognitive phenomenon that behavioral economist Richard Thaler has spoken eloquently about, Duke said.
—Jena McGregor, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023
The Federal Trade Commission cautioned last week that people affected by wildfires on Maui could potentially fall prey to scammers who typically target victims after a disaster occurs.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2023
Beware of risky clicks Paul Fabara, Visa’s chief risk officer, said phishing attacks — in which cardholders receive emails, texts or even WhatsApp messages demanding an urgent response — remain the top way people fall prey to financial scams.
—Chris Velazco, Washington Post, 2 Aug. 2023
If a rug is left in water too long or neglected in general, even the best indoor/outdoor rugs can fall prey to dirt and moisture and develop mildew.
—Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2023
What is guaranteed is that Mississippi won’t be the last state where people fall prey to the fast-emerging threat of C. auris and other fungal pathogens.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 9 Feb. 2023
But few things are more boring than lists which fall prey to this timing gimmick.
—Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 14 Dec. 2022
The ideals of uninhibited public discourse, a universal digital library and fair opportunities to participate in science and culture fall prey to a clearance culture of fines, fees, filters and denied requests for permission.
—Hannibal Travis, The Conversation, 22 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'be/fall prey to.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Be/fall prey to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/be%2Ffall%20prey%20to. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
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