prey

USAGE SUMMARY

"prey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb. Example sentence: The lion stalked its prey in the tall grass.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This policing of women's bodies starts early, and when young women are told repeatedly that their attire is linked to their worth, they fall prey to the unrelenting standards of capitalist patriarchy in which they are made to feel as though their appearance is the most important aspect of them as women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some birds of prey also thrived on grouse moors because of these plentiful food supplies: merlin were four times more numerous on grouse moors than in other locations (although this may be because, unlike hen harriers, they are too small to kill grouse).

The Guardian

You'd have to be pretty naive to say a gamekeeper has never killed a bird of prey but to generalise and say, 'It's gamekeepers' is simply not fair".

The Guardian

But he is trading on the financial ignorance of most savers, who at best may pay more tax and end up poorer in later life, and at worst fall prey to all manner of tricksters and fraudsters promising double digit returns on plausible but fictitious investments.

The Guardian - Money

We spent one day submerged 42 feet on a Padi Try-Dive, spotting an octopus about to devour its paralysed prey; another, ascending the 1,716-foot 1,716-footsummitofntain, dodging lizardSage Mountaintrek through its semi-rainforest.

The Guardian - Travel

"They seem focused on wild prey – I've seen them overfly a whole field of lambs and go for a greylag goose or snatch a rabbit caught by a buzzard".

The Guardian

But some birds of prey are again becoming a welcome part of everyday life.

The Guardian - Opinion

It could be less, but not much, for birds of prey like vultures to swoop in and out.

The Guardian

It also provides the hydraulic pressure that fires the nymph's lower mouth parts towards its prey in a few milliseconds, the secret of the dragonfly's hunting prowess.

The Guardian

"He had an incredibly blase attitude to controlling birds of prey," said Jones.

The Guardian

Their job involves eradicating animals that might want to eat these small game birds: foxes, stoats, weasels and, in the days when it was legal to do so, birds of prey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prey" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly establishes the predator-victim dynamic to avoid misinterpretations. For instance, specify who or what is preying on whom or what.

Common error

Avoid using "prey" when the relationship is not predatory. For instance, using "prey" to describe a negotiation gone wrong might be inaccurate if there was no active exploitation or targeting involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "prey" is a noun, denoting an animal hunted or seized for food. It can also function as a verb, meaning to exert a harmful influence. Ludwig's examples illustrate both usages. The analysis aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "prey" is a versatile term, primarily functioning as a noun to denote an animal hunted for food or, metaphorically, a victim of exploitation. According to Ludwig, its grammatical correctness is unquestionable, and its high frequency in news, science, and formal business contexts underscores its relevance across diverse domains. While often used in neutral and formal settings, its metaphorical usage can extend to more informal contexts. This guide, leveraging Ludwig's extensive examples, provides a nuanced understanding of "prey" and equips writers to employ it with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall victim to

Describes the act of becoming affected by something negative.

be taken advantage of

Highlights the exploitation aspect of being preyed upon.

victim

Focuses on the receiver of the action rather than the act of predation itself.

target

Implies a deliberate selection for harm or exploitation.

quarry

Emphasizes the act of hunting or pursuing a target.

fair game

Suggests that someone or something is considered a legitimate target for attack or criticism.

sitting duck

Highlights vulnerability and lack of defense.

dupe

Implies deception and manipulation to exploit someone.

sucker

Informal term for someone easily fooled or exploited.

mark

Slang term for someone targeted for fraud or swindling.

FAQs

How can I use "prey" in a sentence?

You can use "prey" as a noun to refer to an animal hunted or caught for food, such as, "The lion stalked its prey." It can also be used as a verb, meaning to exert a harmful influence, as in, "Scammers prey on the elderly."

What are some synonyms for "prey"?

Synonyms for "prey" include "victim", "target", "quarry", and "fair game", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "prey on someone's weakness"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "prey on someone's weakness" means to take advantage of someone's vulnerabilities or weaknesses for personal gain. It suggests a predatory behavior where someone exploits another's vulnerability.

What's the difference between "predator" and "prey"?

"Predator" refers to an animal that hunts and eats other animals, while "prey" refers to the animal being hunted. The predator is the one doing the hunting, and the prey is the one being hunted.