prey

noun

ˈprā How to pronounce prey (audio)
Definition of preynext
1
as in quarry
an animal that is hunted or killed rabbits are common prey for owls and hawks

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of prey The lack of prey fish may not be the only challenge faced by the murres. — Stephanie Zappelli, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The species, native to Western Europe and Africa, has few predators, aggressively hunts its prey, and can consume a wide variety of shellfish, including oysters, clams, mussels, lobsters, and other crabs. — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Even robotic ground vehicles may struggle to spend hours crossing rough terrain and can fall easy prey to enemy drones. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 Scientists believe that warming ocean temperatures, an abundance of prey, and natural protection from predators have led the species to use the harbor as a nursery area. — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prey
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prey
  1. quarry
  2. victim
  3. target
  4. casualty
Noun
  • Climbing a quarry mine in the dark Though they’re called Night Climbs, the October evening events begin around sunset as the days get shorter ahead of the winter solstice.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The following evening, guests gathered at Carrières des Lumières, a former limestone quarry turned immersive art space in Les Baux-de-Provence, for the welcome party.
    — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of quarry
Noun
  • The attack shocked the nation, and Jordan declared three days of mourning for the victims.
    — Omar Akour, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • On Sunday, Jordan’s Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah attended a funeral held for the victims while Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited the injured in the hospital earlier.
    — Aoife Walsh, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • President Emmanuel Macron has been the primary target of scorn following nationwide riots that overtook Paris and other cities, but the insurgent National Rally does not want to let mainstream conservatives off the hook.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Las Vegas’ Michael Mayer (six receptions, 32 yards) was a frequent target.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of target
Noun
  • Overnight, Russia struck energy and civilian targets across Ukraine, resulting in at least one casualty, according to local media reports.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The drills include amphibious landing, air and missile defense and mine sweeping, as well as intelligence gathering, logistics and resupply and casualty evacuation on several remote islands, including Tanegashima.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of casualty

Phrases Containing prey

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previsions
prey
preyed (on or upon)
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Cite this Entry

“Prey.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prey. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prey

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