preyed (on or upon) 1 of 2

Definition of preyed (on or upon)next

preyed (on or upon)

2 of 2

verb

past tense of prey (on or upon)
as in fed (on, upon, or off)
to seize and eat (something) as prey a fox has been preying on the chickens

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for preyed (on or upon)
Adjective
  • With themes of resilience, victory, and joy as a healing balm, Joy in the Belly of a Riot is a beautiful manifestation of how poetry has the power to heal and help one overcome pain.
    Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • According to a new national survey conducted by NBC News, AI is viewed even more negatively than the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the militarized agency that has been embroiled in major controversy over its brutal deportation program, including the fatal shooting of unarmed civilians.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The witness told detectives Poole was unarmed, and wasn’t being aggressive.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The city issued unsafe structure notices on residents' doors this week, ordering tenants in 10 units to vacate the premises effective March 9 for their safety.
    Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Water damage and mold meant people trying to bring the building back to life have had to strip out insulation, conduct asbestos abatements and shut off unsafe parts of the chapel.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preyed (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preyed%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster