prey on/upon

phrasal verb

preyed on/upon; preying on/upon; preys on/upon
1
: to hunt and kill (something) for food
The wolves prey on small animals.
2
: to hurt, cheat, or steal from (someone)
criminals who prey on lonely elderly people

Examples of prey on/upon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Scammers prey on fear, confusion and vulnerability, and Daisy’s success shows that technology can fight back. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Adult cougars typically prey on deer, elk, moose, mountain goats, and wild sheep, with deer being the preferred and most common prey. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2024 The film follows an aging shepherd who struggles to find a successor as bears prey on his flock, and a teenage boy who becomes obsessed with tracking the bears. Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024 Entrepreneurs and professionals across all industries are vulnerable to individuals who prey on success. Sonia Singh, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prey on/upon 

Dictionary Entries Near prey on/upon

Cite this Entry

“Prey on/upon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prey%20on%2Fupon. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.

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