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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Recent Examples of prey
Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Cottonmouths are often patterned and born with bright yellow tail tips to attract prey, but as the snakes age, the tail tips and discernible patterns usually fade to a dull blackish color.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 19 Sep. 2025
These apex predators play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations and supporting biodiversity; declines in tiger shark numbers could have cascading effects throughout the food web, potentially altering entire marine communities.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
As an expert on Antarctica claims in the film, commercial krill fishing is leading to a decrease in penguin populations by increasing competition for this crucial prey.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey
Noun
This term means actively looking for casual romantic encounters, like a shark circling prey.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Cottonmouths are often patterned and born with bright yellow tail tips to attract prey, but as the snakes age, the tail tips and discernible patterns usually fade to a dull blackish color.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 19 Sep. 2025
These apex predators play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations and supporting biodiversity; declines in tiger shark numbers could have cascading effects throughout the food web, potentially altering entire marine communities.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
As an expert on Antarctica claims in the film, commercial krill fishing is leading to a decrease in penguin populations by increasing competition for this crucial prey.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prey
Noun
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The fossils were discovered at Busche quarry near Balve, according to the study.—
Lauren Liebhaber
September 22,
Miami Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Globally, more than one million children work in mines and quarries.—
Xanthe Scharff,
Time,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors previously said the victims — Cesar Armando Murillo, 44, and Maira Sofia Hernandez, 33, both residents of Yakima — disappeared just days after federal agents interviewed them in relation to a drug-trafficking investigation.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Sep. 2025
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Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields platforms from liability for what users post, leaving victims and their families with limited legal footing against them.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Palace’s main approach to attacking corners isn’t complicated, but stopping them is easier said than done because the routines and target zones vary, and the delivery is often excellent.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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The 25-year-old Rice led all Chiefs receivers in receptions (79), targets (102), receiving yards (932), and touchdowns (seven) two seasons ago as a rookie.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Having said the previous day that 17 had died, the fire department adjusted that to 14, saying some casualties had been counted twice.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
-
There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prey. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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