preyed (on or upon) 1 of 2

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
  • Sheffield is sticking to her campaign promise of helping Detroit's most vulnerable overcome homelessness.
    Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 29 July 2026
  • 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
  • O’Neil has publicly appealed for golf’s institutions not to execute an unarmed soldier waving the white flag.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Killing unarmed men, non combatants and even women and children.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The plaintiffs, Priscilla Sterling, Raine Becker, Shawn Miller and John Bennett, alleged that the city knowingly allowed residents to drink unsafe water.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Zumthor’s discussion of creating inner security and safety for me immediately evokes for me the specter of its opposite, the unsafe spaces, the spaces of destruction, the homes flattened in Ukraine, Yemen, Lebanon and Gaza.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 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.

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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 13 Sep. 2026.

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