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prey
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- pronunciation:
- preI
- parts of speech:
- noun, intransitive verb
- phrases:
- prey on one's mind
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Homophone Note, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the object of a hunt or pursuit, usu. one animal caught and eaten by another.
The lion has caught sight of its prey.Rabbits are a favorite prey of coyotes.- synonyms:
- game, quarry
- similar words:
- catch, chase, kill, mark, the chase, victim
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| definition 2: |
one that becomes a victim.
The con man marked her as his prey.- synonyms:
- patsy, victim
- similar words:
- dupe, gull, martyr, scapegoat, target
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| definition 3: |
the act or characteristic of preying.
A hawk is a bird of prey. |
| related words: |
casualty, killing |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
preys, preying, preyed |
| definition 1: |
to hunt, catch, and eat an animal or insect.
Large fish prey on smaller ones.
- synonyms:
- stalk
- similar words:
- chase, consume, devour, feed, hunt, pursue, track
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| definition 2: |
to take advantage of or victimize someone.
The swindler preyed exclusively on elderly people.- synonyms:
- victimize
- similar words:
- stalk
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| definition 3: |
to have an unsettling or harmful effect, as on the mind.
Guilt preyed on his conscience.- similar words:
- consume, preoccupy, weigh, worry
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| definition 4: |
to attack or raid and pillage.
Lawless men preyed upon the defenseless town.- synonyms:
- loot, raid, ravage
- similar words:
- destroy, pillage, pirate
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| phrase: |
prey on one's mind |
The words prey and pray (to speak to God) sound alike but have different meanings.
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