as in dwarf
a person of no importance or influence
the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names
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Recent Examples of insect
Leaving leaves on the ground provides shelter for insects and recycles nutrients into the soil.
—
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Building on that, the researchers have now determined what's actually happening to these cells as the insects are gathering evidence in order to make a decision.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Like many other insects, stink bugs are a favorite target for parasitic wasps.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
Climate, insects, bacteria, viruses, drainage, sun exposure, drought, soil type and quality, space limitations and wildlife can all influence how long a fruit tree lives.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insect
Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025
Building on that, the researchers have now determined what's actually happening to these cells as the insects are gathering evidence in order to make a decision.
—New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025
Like many other insects, stink bugs are a favorite target for parasitic wasps.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025
Climate, insects, bacteria, viruses, drainage, sun exposure, drought, soil type and quality, space limitations and wildlife can all influence how long a fruit tree lives.
—Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insect
Noun
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The mountains on either side of the water give way to towering canyon walls, spruce and pine thin out, and only stout dwarf willow and spindly alder remain.—
Chloe Berge,
AFAR Media,
15 Oct. 2025
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For instance, dwarf and semi-dwarf trees may live for 15 to 25 years, whereas standard apple trees can easily live for over 50 years.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The movie, which posits an impending nuclear strike on a major American city, is a flimsy yet high-minded piece of doomsday schlock, largely populated by ciphers in suits and drained of the pulp pleasures that schlock, at its best, can afford.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
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Such ciphers are easy to crack using techniques such as checking letter frequency and identifying common patterns.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Professional athletes, however, aren’t nobodies.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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More importantly, the narrative explores both sides of the conflict from the POV of grunts and 'nobodies' trying to navigate the post-Civil War state of the galaxy before the fighting stops.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Roufus coached several champion fighters, including former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, his brother and former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis, and former UFC welterweight world champion Tyron Woodley.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
18 Oct. 2025
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The low-profile design channels that nostalgic energy while remaining lightweight and travel-friendly—perfect for dashing through airport terminals or exploring a new city on foot.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insect. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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