be/fall prey to
idiom
1
: to be killed by (an animal, disease, etc.)
The deer fell prey to coyotes.
Many people fell prey to disease.
2
: to be harmed or affected in a bad way by (someone or something)
After the accident, she was prey to all kinds of anxieties.
Some of his friends fell prey to drugs.
Examples of be/fall prey to in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Occasionally, even our relationships fall prey to this pattern of pessimism.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
This is partly because organizations often fall prey to James Meindl’s ‘The Romance of Leadership’ theory, which argues that people over-attribute organizational success to the actions of individual leaders (and failure is the result of chance, bad luck, and magic).
—Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
The critical work of ensuring that those who commit serious crimes are punished ought not fall prey to arbitrary technicalities.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
The challenge for the Leafs will be finding a way to turn the other cheek and not fall prey to one of the Panthers’ biggest strengths.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for be/fall prey to
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
This is partly because organizations often fall prey to James Meindl’s ‘The Romance of Leadership’ theory, which argues that people over-attribute organizational success to the actions of individual leaders (and failure is the result of chance, bad luck, and magic).
—Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
The critical work of ensuring that those who commit serious crimes are punished ought not fall prey to arbitrary technicalities.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
The challenge for the Leafs will be finding a way to turn the other cheek and not fall prey to one of the Panthers’ biggest strengths.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for be/fall prey to
Cite this Entry
“Be/fall prey to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/be%2Ffall%20prey%20to. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share