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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insect
Similar genetic studies across animals, including insects, fish, birds and mammals, suggest that many species could still be undiscovered.
—
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
More recent air news New research suggests some air pollutants can significantly alter insect behavior, science journalist Gennaro Tomma writes in National Geographic.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Dubbed Antscan, the platform features micrometer-resolution reconstructions that lay bare not only the insects’ armored exoskeletons but also their muscles, nerves, digestive tracts, and needle-like stingers poised at the ready.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2026
Sometimes, there are insects present that are good guys.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insect
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
More recent air news New research suggests some air pollutants can significantly alter insect behavior, science journalist Gennaro Tomma writes in National Geographic.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Dubbed Antscan, the platform features micrometer-resolution reconstructions that lay bare not only the insects’ armored exoskeletons but also their muscles, nerves, digestive tracts, and needle-like stingers poised at the ready.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2026
Sometimes, there are insects present that are good guys.
—Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insect
Noun
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To make the garden more sustainable and less reliant on mowing, Johnson replaced part of the front lawn with dwarf mondo grass.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
5 Mar. 2026
-
When his uncle Larry Tisch bought CBS, Spy called him a dwarf billionaire.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
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Finally, Marilyn is not presented as a cipher to be solved or quarry to be caged.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Seattle’s John Schneider and New England’s Eliot Wolf rose up from young nobodies to graduate from Green Bay Packers University, too.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Many of Newsom’s critics who breathlessly report on his evil plans (that the left-wing mainstream media supposedly cover up) are just nobodies who feign authority and are obviously fronting for right-wing organizations.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Keep reading to find more great lightweight, cooling comforters and quilts below—all on sale.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Mar. 2026
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One of my best friends loves the ruffled detailing of this casual mini dress, while another swears by an off-the-shoulder dress for a lightweight, yet comfy feel.—
Jacquelyn Smith,
Parents,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
By my count, Philip Glass has written 28 operas, the same number as Verdi.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The number of tax filers with no federal income tax would increase from 37 million under current law to 66 million under Van Hollen's proposal, according to Steve Wamhoff, director of federal tax policy at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a left-leaning think tank.—
JEFF STEIN THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insect. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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