hoverfly larvae prey on aphids : HUNT, catch; eat, feed on, live on/off.
they prey on the elderly : EXPLOIT, victimize, pick on, take advantage of; trick, swindle, cheat, hoodwink, fleece; informal con.
the problem preyed on his mind : OPPRESS, weigh (heavily) on, lie heavy on, gnaw at; trouble, worry, beset, disturb, distress, haunt, nag, torment, plague, obsess.
2192; headword