bloodsucker

noun

blood·​suck·​er ˈbləd-ˌsə-kər 

1

: an animal that sucks blood

especially : leech

2

: a person who sponges or preys on another

bloodsucking

ˈbləd-ˌsə-kiŋ 

adjective

Synonyms of bloodsucker

• parasite

Examples of bloodsucker in a Sentence

Our landlord, the bloodsucker, just raised our rent again.

the union accused the company executives of being bloodsuckers, since they had given themselves raises at a time when the rank and file were forced to take cuts in their benefits

Recent Examples on the Web

Leading brands, such as Cliganic, NATPAT and BugMD, use essential oils, like citronella and peppermint oil among others, as the active ingredients to repel pesty bloodsuckers. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Ever since Bram Stoker popularized Count Dracula as a gothic figure of fantasy, the word vampire has been synonymous with undead bloodsuckers who vanish in a puff of smoke in the morning light (if not dazzle a little in the sunshine). — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026

These bloodsuckers can carry several potentially severe diseases, and shifting species ranges mean Lake County has a growing variety of ticks, said county Health Department Ecological Services Program Coordinator Alana Bartolai. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

The phrase has its own meaning within Anne Rice’s lush, grandiose world of bloodsuckers and spell-casters as interpreted by creator and showrunner Rolin Jones. — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bloodsucker

• pecker
• pucker
• succor
• sucker
• trucker
• tucker

Kids Definition

bloodsucker

noun

blood·​suck·​er -ˌsək-ər 

: an animal that sucks blood

especially : leech sense 1

bloodsucking

-ˌsək-iŋ 

adjective

Medical Definition

bloodsucker

noun

blood·​suck·​er -ˌsək-ər 

: an animal that sucks blood

especially : leech

bloodsucking

-iŋ 

adjective