preying on
Taking advantage of
Preying on describes a predator hunting or feeding on another creature: Hawks prey on rodents.
More commonly, it describes exploiting vulnerable people for gain: scammers preying on the elderly, predatory lenders preying on desperate borrowers.
The phrase implies targeting someone weaker or less wary.
Something that preys on your mind troubles you persistently.
- ambushingSurprise attack from concealment
- picking offEliminating targets singly
- eatingIngesting sustenance
- exploitingUsing selfishly for benefit
- victimizingHarming or exploiting someone
hunting · hounding · stalking · grooming · gaslighting · killing · easy target · manipulation · human trafficking · elder abuse · emotional blackmail · harassing · coercion · conning · deceit · fraud · con artist · parasitic
preying onprotecting
Keeping from harm
defending · safeguarding · shielding · guarding · looking out for
preying onnurturing
Supportive care-giving
caring for · supporting · nourishing · empowering · uplifting
prey, preying, preyed, preys, predator, predatory, predation, predators, depredation