<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>an animal hunted or seized for food, especially by a carnivorous animal</li><li>a person or thing that is the victim of an enemy, a swindler, a disease, etc.: a con man looking for his next prey</li></ul><p><strong>Synonyms:</strong></p><ul><li><p>gull</p></li><li><p>dupe</p></li><li><p>mark</p></li><li><p>the action or habit of preying: a beast of prey</p></li><li><p>Archaic: booty or plunder</p></li></ul><hr><p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>to seize and devour prey, as an animal does (usually followed by on or upon): Foxes prey on rabbits</li><li>to make raids or attacks for booty or plunder: The Vikings preyed on coastal settlements</li><li>to exert a harmful or destructive influence: His worries preyed upon his mind</li><li>to victimize another or others (usually followed by on or upon): loan sharks that prey upon poor people</li></ul>