parasitosis

noun

par·​a·​sit·​o·​sis ˌper-ə-sə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce parasitosis (audio)
-ˌsī-,
ˌpa-rə-
plural parasitoses ˌper-ə-sə-ˈtō-ˌsēz How to pronounce parasitosis (audio)
-ˌsī-,
ˌpa-rə-
: infestation with or disease caused by parasites

Examples of parasitosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Morgellons disease, a form of delusional parasitosis, is a contested condition in which people are thought to have a false belief that they are infected by parasites, mites, worms or other organisms, despite testing suggesting the contrary, according to the Mayo Clinic. Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025 Compassion avoids angering or insulting someone with delusional parasitosis. Korin Miller, Health, 17 Nov. 2023 Patients with dermatological parasitosis have delusions that insects are walking on or crawling through their skin. Amy Barth, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2019 Secondary delusional parasitosis might occur with substance abuse disorder. Korin Miller, Health, 17 Nov. 2023 This paper has been popular in the delusional parasitosis community. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2012 Delusional parasitosis is the opposite of Morgellons: doctors believe in it, but the people who have it, don't. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2011 Morgellons disease, or antipsychotic-responsive delusional parasitosis, in an hiv patient: beliefs in the age of the internet. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2011 The misguided belief that one’s body is being overrun by worms also has a name: delusional parasitosis. NBC News, 14 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parasitosis was circa 1899

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parasitosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasitosis. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Medical Definition

parasitosis

noun
par·​a·​sit·​o·​sis -sə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce parasitosis (audio) -ˌsīt-ˈō- How to pronounce parasitosis (audio)
plural parasitoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce parasitosis (audio)
: infestation with or disease caused by parasites
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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