Definitions

prey on

VERB

attack, terrorize

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bully devour exploit feed on fleece haunt intimidate oppress plunder take advantage of victimize

WEAK

blackmail bleed burden consume depredate distress eat hunt live off load raid seize tax trouble weigh worry

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist give help

WEAK

guard protect save

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Being pro-business doesn’t mean giving corporate bad actors a free pass to prey on the people who make their profits possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

"Our message is clear, those who prey on our children will pay a hefty price," said US attorney Kelly Hayes for the District of Maryland.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

“We deal with violations regarding raptors and birds of prey on a relative frequency but I haven’t seen anything to this level of disregard for the animal in quite a while.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Harriet also shared the 2023 Collier Prize for State Government Accountability for revealing corruption in California’s legal profession that enabled attorneys to prey on vulnerable clients.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

“They claimed that they didn’t hunt humans. They supposedly were somehow able to prey on animals instead.”

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

prey on

Example Sentences

Related Words