preying
Hunting for food
Preying is the present participle of prey, describing the act of hunting and killing other animals for food.
A hawk preying on field mice is doing what predators do.
The word extends to human behavior when someone exploits or victimizes others, particularly the vulnerable: scammers preying on the elderly.
The continuous form emphasizes ongoing or habitual predatory behavior rather than a single act.
Stealthy, persistent pursuit
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- quarryPit for extracting rock
game · snare · trapping · lure · bait · poaching · falconry · venery
Harming or exploiting someone
- targetingSelecting as objective
- manipulatingInfluencing through cunning
- scammingDefrauding through deception
- swindlingFraudulent taking of money
deceiving · conning · defrauding · grooming · coercing · vulnerable · weak · unsuspecting
Feeding on animal flesh
- vultureCarrion-eating raptor
- sharkCartilaginous marine predator
- wolfWild pack canine
- lionManed African feline
tiger · eagle · hawk · owl · feline · beast · ferocious · savage
Extracting gradually, parasitically
- hostOne receiving guests
- bloodsuckerOrganism feeding on plasma
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- mosquitoBlood-feeding flying pest
tick · flea · lice · tapeworm · nematode · infestation · draining · siphoning
stalking
Stealthy, persistent pursuit
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- pursuitAct of chasing something
- trackingMonitoring location over time
quarry · game · snare · trapping · lure · bait · poaching · falconry · venery · harpoon
victimizing
Harming or exploiting someone
- targetingSelecting as objective
- manipulatingInfluencing through cunning
- scammingDefrauding through deception
swindling · deceiving · conning · defrauding · grooming · coercing · vulnerable · weak · unsuspecting · innocent
carnivorous
Feeding on animal flesh
lion · tiger · eagle · hawk · owl · feline · beast · ferocious · savage · killer
leeching
Extracting gradually, parasitically
- hostOne receiving guests
- bloodsuckerOrganism feeding on plasma
- exploitationSelfish use of others
mosquito · tick · flea · lice · tapeworm · nematode · infestation · draining · siphoning · feeding
prowling
Moving stealthily while hunting
creeping · watching · following · pursuing · hunting · observing · slinking · skulking · circling · closing in
preyinggrazing
Feeding on pasture
foraging · browsing · herbivory · filter-feeding · ruminating
preyingfleeing
Rapid escape from danger
hiding · escaping · evading · cowering · submitting
preyingprotecting
Keeping from harm
nurturing · defending · shielding · sheltering · caring for
- preying onExploiting or hunting
prey, predator, predatory, predators, raptor, preys, predation, preyed, predacious