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
It’s made from solid red wood cedar that’s water-resistant, won’t decay, and repels insects.
—
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Harvesting yarsagumba, a rare and valuable creature that is part fungus, part insect.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
These microbes are then eaten by small invertebrates such as midge larvae and isopods, which are in turn preyed on by larger insects like spiders, beetles, and centipedes.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
When the temperature drops, the tiny insects try to find a place to hibernate during the winter.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insect
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Harvesting yarsagumba, a rare and valuable creature that is part fungus, part insect.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
These microbes are then eaten by small invertebrates such as midge larvae and isopods, which are in turn preyed on by larger insects like spiders, beetles, and centipedes.
—New Atlas, 5 Nov. 2025
When the temperature drops, the tiny insects try to find a place to hibernate during the winter.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insect
Noun
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La Selva always had caymans, but only the less aggressive and less territorial dwarf and white species.—
Noah Lederman,
Robb Report,
3 Jan. 2026
-
Recently, the Hubble Space Telescope captured an image of a dwarf galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Professional athletes, however, aren’t nobodies.—
Joe Kozlowski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
Despite its lightweight feel, the crew neckline and long sleeves provide cozy warmth, especially when buttoned up over a tank top or T-shirt.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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Crafted from impact-resistant polycarbonate, this suitcase weighs 7 pounds, which is the most lightweight that Arlo Skye offers.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The moderates had expected a larger number of Democrats to vote with them as around 10-12 Democratic senators had been part of the negotiations.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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But Jackie’s defining value is framed as determination, and The Queen of Versailles is too busy handing her upbeat girlboss numbers to reckon in any meaningful way with the consequences.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insect. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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