louse

noun

ˈlau̇s How to pronounce louse (audio)
Definition of lousenext
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others I can't believe you're willing to spend time with that lying louse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of louse One of my favorites is the tongue louse, which usually comes in through the gills of the host fish (something like a red snapper), eats the tongue, and then takes its place. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2025 In reality, Rothstein was a louse, forever at odds with his Orthodox father, Abraham, and upright brother Harry. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 The reason there is a difference between their number of vine and rootstock varieties is due to the subterranean phylloxera louse that wiped out huge swaths of the world’s grape vines during the mid 19th century. — Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 About 5,000 years ago, a bacterium that was primarily transmitted via ticks made a switch to louse. — Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for louse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for louse
  1. jerk
  2. dog
  3. clown
  4. skunk
  5. rat
Noun
  • Cayman’s restaurant culture is shaped by the more than 130 different nationalities found on the islands, from traditional jerk chicken joints to fine dining establishments.
    — Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 2026
  • The desire to make fresh New York rap that isn’t indebted to drill, or chasing broader Gen-Z hip-hop trends such as jerk and rage rap, sometimes leads to experiments that don’t land anywhere.
    — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
Definition of jerk
Noun
  • Both Shapiro and Graziano kept their original Instagram handles and changed the names to add their current dogs.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Seeing your pup happily playing in the backyard or snoozing on the couch can provide reassurance for you without creating confusion for your dog.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of dog
Noun
  • One morning during my stay, there were even clowns buzzing about—a thrill to receive a balloon poodle alongside my morning flat white.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
  • This take on the mad clown of Gotham is less Jack Nicholson and George Romero, choosing a more stoic approach inspired by Conrad Veidt silent films and German expressionism.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026
Definition of clown
Noun
  • Alternative Methods to Keep Skunks Away There are a few methods to try for deterring skunks.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Rabies is more common in bats and skunks, who occasionally transfer the deadly infection to pets.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of skunk
Noun
  • After bedbugs, roaches, and rat infestations, murky tap water is among the most off-putting experiences in New York City apartment living.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors tied that comment to another one, also with a rat emoji, from months earlier, posted by an Instagram account that used the photo of a dead GMB member.
    — John Annese, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of rat

Phrases Containing louse

Browse Nearby Words

lounging (around or about)
louse
loused up
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Cite this Entry

“Louse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/louse. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on louse

Nglish: Translation of louse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about louse

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