Prey on Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɹeɪ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
PRAY-on, PRAY-awn
pɹˈeɪ/ /ˈɒn
pray-ON
Definition
To hunt, kill, and eat another animal for food; also, to take advantage of or harm someone weaker.
Usage & Nuances
Used literally for animals (e.g., lions prey on zebras) or figuratively for people who exploit others ('scammers prey on the elderly'). Often followed by 'on + object.' Avoid confusing with 'pray,' which means to speak to a deity.
Spanish: alimentarse de - aprovecharse dePortuguese (BR): alimentar-se de - explorarPortuguese (PT): alimentar-se de - explorarChinese (Simplified): 捕食 - 利用Chinese (Traditional): 捕食 - 利用Hindi: पर शिकार करना - शोषण करनाArabic: يفترس - يستغلBengali: শিকার করা - সুযোগ নেওয়া (কারো দুর্বলতার)Russian: охотиться на - наживаться на (ком-то)Japanese: 捕食する - 弱者につけこむVietnamese: săn mồi - lợi dụng (ai đó/yếu điểm)Korean: 사냥하다 - (약자에게) 악용하다Turkish: avlamak - (birinin zayıflığından) yararlanmakUrdu: شکار کرنا - کمزوروں کا فائدہ اٹھاناIndonesian: memangsa - memanfaatkan (orang lain yang lemah)
Example Sentences
Wolves prey on deer in the forest.
basic
Some birds prey on insects.
basic
Sharks prey on smaller fish.
basic
Scammers often prey on people who don't know about their tricks.
natural
Bullies in school sometimes prey on kids who are quiet or different.
natural
It's wrong to prey on people's fears just to make money.
natural