Synonyms of prey

prey

noun

ˈprā 

1

as in quarry

an animal that is hunted or killed

rabbits are common prey for owls and hawks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quarry
• creature
• chase
• target
• victim
• beast
• game
• kill
• critter
• brute

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• predator
• hunter
• killer
• murderer
• carnivore
• pursuer
• chaser

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• victim
• casualty
• fatality
• loss
• sacrifice
• loser
• underdog
• martyr
• collateral damage
• murderee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• winner
• victor
• gainer
• killer
• murderer
• assassin
• injurer
• harmer

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• target
• victim
• butt
• sitting duck
• mark
• mockery
• goat
• scapegoat
• laughingstock
• lightning rod
• pilgarlic
• fall guy
• whipping boy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gossip
• troublemaker
• tattler
• tormentor
• gossiper
• tattletale
• talebearer
• defamer
• traducer
• torturer
• tease
• libeler
• teaser
• taunter
• baiter
• needler
• mocker
• heckler
• scorner
• insulter
• scoffer
• ribber
• satirist
• libelist
• caricaturist
• parodist
• lampooner
• derider
• ridiculer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prey

The light is low, which can increase your risk of a shark mistaking you for other prey. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 24 July 2026

But could these large marine mammals also play with their prey just for fun? — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 2026

The authors also note that in both cases, the orcas had already fed on other prey prior to ramming the dead sunfish. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026

But the ability to eat larger prey items might pay off in terms of reproduction. — Jay Kakade july 23, Refractor, 23 July 2026

Phrases Containing prey

• prey (on or upon)