parasitize
verb
par·a·sit·ize
ˈper-ə-sə-ˌtiz 
-ˌsī-,
ˈpa-rə-
parasitized; parasitizing
: to infest or live on or with as a parasite
Examples of parasitize in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The larvae parasitize earthworms, with adult flies emerging a few days later.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
As Listers demonstrates, hobby apps such as eBird parasitize our leisure pursuits from within: The app stops being a way to engage with the hobby and instead turns the hobby into a way to engage with the app.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
They are known to parasitize crustaceans and insects including praying mantids, beetles, crickets, and occasionally millipedes and centipedes, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
These have likely been parasitized by a wasp which is also helping with control.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parasitize
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Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
As Listers demonstrates, hobby apps such as eBird parasitize our leisure pursuits from within: The app stops being a way to engage with the hobby and instead turns the hobby into a way to engage with the app.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
They are known to parasitize crustaceans and insects including praying mantids, beetles, crickets, and occasionally millipedes and centipedes, according to the study.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
These have likely been parasitized by a wasp which is also helping with control.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for parasitize
Cite this Entry
“Parasitize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasitize. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parasitize
verb
par·a·sit·ize
ˈpar-ə-sə-ˌtīz
-ˌsīt-ˌīz
parasitized; parasitizing
: to infest or live on or with as a parasite
an insect that parasitizes many mammals
Medical Definition
parasitize
transitive verb
par·a·sit·ize
parasitized also British parasitised; parasitizing also British parasitising
: to infest or live on or with as a parasite
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