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
These scams are emotionally and financially devastating and prey on those seeking companionship.
—
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
Companies prey on insecurities, selling solutions to invented problems.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, squatting has become a growing epidemic, in some cases fueled by criminal networks that prey on innocent people with fake leases and counterfeit documents.
—Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2025
Unlike southern residents, Bigg's prey on marine mammals such as seals and sea lions.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
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Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025
Companies prey on insecurities, selling solutions to invented problems.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
Unfortunately, squatting has become a growing epidemic, in some cases fueled by criminal networks that prey on innocent people with fake leases and counterfeit documents.
—Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2025
Unlike southern residents, Bigg's prey on marine mammals such as seals and sea lions.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 7 Jan. 2025
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 16 Feb. 2025.
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