1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of prey
For example, if subjected to high humidity, potato plants may fall prey to fungal diseases that will weaken them and slow growth.
—
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 June 2026
Putin’s hope of capturing Kyiv quickly was shattered by staunch Ukrainian resistance, and convoys of Russian tanks stretching along narrow roads became easy prey.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Diehard hunters since childhood, brothers Chris and Josh Neville grew up hunting in Iowa and eventually migrated westward for bigger wilderness and bigger prey.
—C.c. Weiss
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026
Korcsmaros believes the shark misidentified her as prey.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prey
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 June 2026
Putin’s hope of capturing Kyiv quickly was shattered by staunch Ukrainian resistance, and convoys of Russian tanks stretching along narrow roads became easy prey.
—ABC News, 31 May 2026
Diehard hunters since childhood, brothers Chris and Josh Neville grew up hunting in Iowa and eventually migrated westward for bigger wilderness and bigger prey.
—C.c. Weiss
may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2026
Korcsmaros believes the shark misidentified her as prey.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for prey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prey
Noun
-
The furniture line is rooted in the Sphere dining table, a collectible limited-edition collection crafted from rare Breccia Acquasanta marble in rose and dusty pink tones and a production of just five pieces made by a quarry that had been closed for 20 years.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 May 2026
-
The reptile’s remains were originally discovered in 2006 in a New Mexico quarry that is well known among paleontologists for its rich trove of Triassic-era fossils.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Newsom’s office said Thursday that the state is providing assistance to victims, family members and witnesses of the mosque shooting.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The bodies of two people were found earlier this week, before crews recovered the remains of another six victims on Thursday, May 28, Longview fire chief Brad Hannig said in a press conference later that day.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
For one, the salary cap is a moving target.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
An entire mission directing six blasts against three Russian frontline targets in eastern Ukraine will involve no Ukrainian troops on the ground, the battle instead directed from gamer chairs, observed from reconnaissance drones above, run over dedicated livestreams.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
No damage or casualties were reported.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Russian casualties also have soared to more than 30,000 a month, draining the Kremlin’s financial resources even more as bigger incentives must be offered to recruit enough replacements and pay out death benefits.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prey. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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