1. hunts and kills other animals for food
Usage: third person singular present tense of ‘prey’
2. takes advantage of or exploits someone who is vulnerable
Usage: often used with ‘on’ or ‘upon’
3. causes someone to feel worried or troubled continuously
Usage: often used with ‘on’ – ‘preys on one’s mind’

Examples

• The hawk preys on small rodents and birds.
• The lion preys upon zebras and gazelles in the savanna.
• The scammer preys on elderly people who live alone.
• She preys upon people’s fears to sell her products.
• The memory of the accident preys on his mind constantly.
• Guilt about the mistake preys upon her thoughts every day.