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
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.
Ranchers’ concerns about wolves became the backdrop earlier this month at a heated hearing on whether to increase protections for coyotes, which also can prey on cattle. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 28 May 2025 Bartoszek suspects that Florida panthers occasionally prey upon pythons, but there’s no proof yet. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025 The scams are designed to prey on the urgency people feel, which could result in thousands of dollars being stolen from people who fall for the scams. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025 Haliburton and Turner would present a scary duo, able to prey on Towns’ inconsistent defensive habits. James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 19 May 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 5 Jun. 2025.

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