prey
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of PREY
[noncount]
1
:
an animal that is hunted or killed by another animal for food
—
see also bird of prey
-
The lion stalked its prey.
-
The bird circled above looking for prey.
-
The seals are easy prey for sharks.
2
:
someone who is easily harmed or affected in a bad way by someone or something
:
victim
-
Too often elderly people are easy prey for swindlers and other criminals.
be/fall prey to
1
:
to be killed by (an animal, disease, etc.)
-
The deer fell prey to coyotes.
-
Many people fell prey to disease.
2
:
to be harmed or affected in a bad way by (someone or something)
-
After the accident, she was prey to all kinds of anxieties.
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Some of his friends fell prey to drugs.
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She fell prey to an online scam.
2
prey
/ˈpreɪ/
verb
preys;
preyed;
preying
2
prey
/ˈpreɪ/
verb
preys;
preyed;
preying
Britannica Dictionary definition of PREY
prey on/upon
[phrasal verb]
1
prey on/upon (something)
:
to hunt and kill (something) for food
-
The wolves prey on small animals.
2
prey on/upon (someone)
:
to hurt, cheat, or steal from (someone)
-
criminals who prey on lonely elderly people
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Gangs are known to prey on tourists in the city.
3
prey on/upon someone's mind
:
to make someone worry
:
to be constantly on someone's mind
-
Her growing debts preyed on her mind. [=she worried about her growing debts]
-
The thought that he could have done better preyed on his mind.
-
a question that preys on the minds of many of us
