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Definition of prey
prey
alsopreys
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Examples of prey in a Sentence
The lion stalked its prey.
The bird circled above looking for prey.
The seals are easy prey for sharks.
Too often elderly people are easy prey for swindlers and other criminals.
Recent Examples of prey from the Web
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The spider leaps at its prey, biting and grabbing at the same time.
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Hoop snakes do not grab the end of their tails in their jaws and roll like wheels at lightning speed to chase after people or their prey.
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Rather than biting their prey into chunks, bass swallow their catches whole.
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Rather than fight face-to-face, Tokuda uses the environment to daze and bewilder his prey.
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One tribe pursues its prey with lures made of dead animal hair and feathers.
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Sharks are one of the most efficient predators of the ocean, closing in on their prey at high speeds.
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Whales like Basilosaurus were active predators, gripping and shearing their prey with mouths fitted with differentiated teeth.
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Largemouth bass are Schmitt's favorite prey; catch-and-release is his mantra.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prey'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of prey
Middle English preie, from Anglo-French, from Latin praeda; akin to Latin prehendere to grasp, seize — more at get
Other Zoology Terms
prey
Definition of prey
preyed
;preying
intransitive verb
1 : to make raids for the sake of booty
2a : to seize and devour preyb : to commit violence or robbery or fraud
3 : to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect worry preyed upon his mind
preyer
nounRecent Examples of prey from the Web
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The proprietors of this championship are preying on those dreams and taking advantage of them.
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State prosecutors said Cristian DeGregory's criminal past shows a modus operandi of preying upon the young and defenseless.
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Amargosa voles, preyed on by 25 species of carnivore, depend on rare marshes in the Mojave Desert to survive.
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Animals that prey on insects, like bats and birds, could alter their behavior as well, catching more of one kind than another when the compressors are there, for instance.
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Federal Trade Commission The WannaCry attack preyed on digital doors left open and was able to breach at least 200,000 computer terminals in 150 countries since Friday.
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Bourgeois said Ely preyed on others and originally set bail at $1 million.
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A frontline featuring Tristan Thompson, the league's best offensive rebounder, Kevin Love and James would prey on the Celtics.
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Meanwhile, Jamie goes after a serial killer who preys on the elderly.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prey'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of prey
Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda
Other Zoology Terms
PREY Defined for English Language Learners
prey
playDefinition of prey for English Language Learners
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: an animal that is hunted or killed by another animal for food
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: someone who is easily harmed or affected in a bad way by someone or something
PREY Defined for Kids
Definition of prey for Students
preyed
;preying
1 : to hunt and kill for food The dogs survived by preying on small game.
2 : to have a harmful effect Fears prey on my mind.
Learn More about prey
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See words that rhyme with prey Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prey Spanish Central: Translation of prey Nglish: Translation of prey for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prey for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prey
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