prey on

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.

Scammers often prey on older people, many of whom are lonely and don’t have a large network to bounce ideas off.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

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

"Let's be very crystal clear here: if a bull shark, or a tiger, or a great white did want to prey on a human, there would be no body."

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

The fish contend with dams that cut off their spawning grounds, nonnative fish such as bass that prey on them and powerful pumps that pull them into areas where they are vulnerable.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

In the waters below, their young, the dragonfly nymphs, or naiads, prey on the aquatic stages of mosquitoes and other insects.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson