Synonyms of prey

prey 1 of 2

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

prey (on or upon)

2 of 2

verb

as in to feed (on, upon, or off)

to seize and eat (something) as prey

a fox has been preying on the chickens

Synonyms & Similar Words

• feed (on, upon, or off)
• stalk
• chase
• hunt
• pursue
• destroy
• kill
• fell
• slay
• do in
• dispatch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prey

Noun

Now, researchers are concerned that more ecosystems will be disrupted as the apex predators with a ferocious appetite feast on a buffet of raccoons, opossums, bobcats, alligators and birds -- including prey bigger than themselves. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Burmese pythons threaten the safety of human beings, as well as prey on household pets, such as cats and dogs. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Land slugs can carry rat lungworm, a parasite that can cause serious neurological disease in humans, and many sea slugs contain defensive toxins acquired from their prey. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026

The Komodo dragon has serrated teeth and a habit of gripping prey and then shaking its head side to side to rip the flesh away from the bone. — ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026

Phrases Containing prey

• prey (on or upon)