preyed on
Took advantage of
Preyed on means hunted and fed upon, as predators do: Wolves preyed on the weakened cattle.
More often, it describes exploitation of vulnerable people: Scammers preyed on elderly homeowners.
The phrase implies systematic targeting of the defenseless.
To prey on someone's mind is to trouble them persistently: Guilt preyed on her for years.
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- attackedActed aggressively against
- picked offRemoved selectively, one-by-one
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- stalkedFollowed stealthily with menace
gaslight · wolf in sheep's clothing · con artist · victimize · exploit · deceive · cheat · coerce · bully · extort · food chain · survival of the fittest · swindle · oppress · devoured · prowled · singled out · targeted
predation/victimization
preyed onprotected
Kept from harm
defended · nurtured · cared for · sheltered · looked after
prey, predator, predatory, predate, preying, preys, predation, predated, predates