leech 1 of 2

as in parasite
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return whenever the gang went out for pizza, the leech in the group always had an excuse for not paying his fair share

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leech

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun leech differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of leech are parasite, sponge, sycophant, and toady. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

When is parasite a more appropriate choice than leech?

The words parasite and leech are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

When can sponge be used instead of leech?

The synonyms sponge and leech are sometimes interchangeable, but sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

In what contexts can sycophant take the place of leech?

The words sycophant and leech can be used in similar contexts, but sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

When could toady be used to replace leech?

In some situations, the words toady and leech are roughly equivalent. However, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of leech
Noun
Critics say the program has been too aggressive, leeching far too many dollars away from education, health care and other core services. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025 How a disruptive summer of change in the boardroom, that struggle to comply with PSR, failing to sign a first-XI player, uncertainty in the dressing room, all leeched into early results. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
In a cave in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China, researchers have discovered a new species of leech called Sinospelaeobdella jiangxiensis, or the jiangxiensis land leech. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 These bacteria sustain an entire ecosystem of invertebrates, including leeches, spiders, pseudoscorpions, centipedes and isopods. Scott Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leech
Noun
  • The knowledge that my life only matters as a body for labor feeds on my heart like a parasite.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
  • The insect, along with a second specimen of a young ant infected with a similar fungus, are two of the oldest examples of a bizarre natural phenomenon that involves fungal parasites hijacking the bodies of their hosts before ultimately killing them.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Use a damp soft brush, cloth, or sponge to scrub the surface, removing stains without scratching the glass.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
  • Dip a microfiber cloth or sponge into the mixture and wipe it onto the ceiling.
    Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And again summer approaches and one must sift through all those spoiling invitations that inevitably come rolling in when one is an indolent (and impoverished) European aristocrat — who needs to freeload off the rich and hardworking.
    James Fallon, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
  • Minutes before Carney’s arrival, Trump set a contentious tone by accusing Canada of freeloading on trade and the nations’ geopolitical alliance.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Rachel Morin's 'bum' killer mooched off locals before murdering mom of five, lawyer says.
    FOXNews.com, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Suleman also opened up about her financial insecurity in the early 2010s and how the media painted her to be mooching off the government.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Leech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leech. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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