Prey refers to an animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food. It can also be used more broadly to refer to anything that is vulnerable or at risk, such as a company's market share being preyed upon by competitors.
Usage examples
The lion stalked its prey silently before pouncing.
The hawk swooped down from the sky to catch its prey.
The spider patiently waited for its prey to get trapped in its web.
The shark swiftly approached its prey with its sharp teeth ready to attack.
The cheetah relied on its speed to chase down its prey on the African savannah.
The snake constricted its prey tightly before swallowing it whole.
The eagle's sharp vision allowed it to spot its prey from miles away.
The wolf pack worked together to surround and capture their prey.
The cat crouched low, ready to pounce on its unsuspecting prey.
While a hunter follows on foot, dogs are allowed to search for prey on their own. (puppy-training-solutions.com)
She hasn't been around cats much but doesn't seem to have a lot of prey drive so she could probably learn to live with them. (alphadogrescue.steveoppenheimer.com)
When I say anything, I mean that I fall prey of eating leftover mac and cheese, chocolate cake and even kale salads the next morning. (naturalsweetrecipes.com)