Definition

1. Noun:

   • An animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food: This is the primary biological meaning, referring to the animal that is the target of a predator.
   • A person who is a victim of harm, exploitation, or attack: This figurative meaning describes someone who is targeted by a hostile person, influence, or negative circumstance.

2. Verb:

   • To hunt and kill for food: Used for animals that hunt other animals.
   • To exploit or victimize someone: To take advantage of someone's weakness or vulnerability.
   • To have a harmful, worrying, or obsessive effect on someone's mind: When a thought or problem persistently troubles someone.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The lion stalked its prey silently through the tall grass.
  • Elderly people are often the prey of scam artists.
  • He fell prey to a mysterious illness.

• Verb:

  • Owls prey on mice and other small rodents.
  • The fraudulent scheme preyed upon people's hopes for quick wealth.
  • Guilt over the mistake preyed on her mind for years.

Advanced Usage

• "to be/become/fall prey to something": To be caught, harmed, or overcome by something negative.

  • Without proper maintenance, the old building fell prey to decay.
  • She became prey to anxiety before every major exam.

• "prey on/upon someone's mind": To cause someone persistent worry or distress.

  • The unanswered question continued to prey on his mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Predator (n): An animal that naturally preys on others; a person who ruthlessly exploits others.
  • The shark is an apex predator.
• Predatory (adj): Relating to or characterized by plundering, exploiting, or preying on others.
  • The company was accused of predatory pricing.

Synonyms

• Noun: Quarry, game, victim, target.
• Verb: Hunt, stalk, exploit, victimize, trouble, haunt.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Prey on/upon: This is the standard construction for the verb.
  • Cybercriminals prey on unsuspecting internet users.
  • The disease preys upon the weakest members of the population.

Related Idioms

• Bird/Beast of prey: A bird or animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.
  • The eagle is a majestic bird of prey.
• Fair game: Someone or something considered a legitimate target for criticism, attack, or exploitation. (Note: This is a related idiom, not a direct variant of "prey").
  • After his controversial statement, he felt he was fair game for the media.

Noun

1. animal hunted or caught for food
2. a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
   • he fell prey to muggers
   • everyone was fair game
   • the target of a manhunt

Verb

1. prey on or hunt for
   • These mammals predate certain eggs
2. profit from in an exploitatory manner
   • He feeds on her insecurity