as in leech
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return
a parasite who lived in the family's basement and refused to get a job or pay rent
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Recent Examples of parasite
An explosive diarrhea-causing parasite is behind a surge of summer food poisoning cases right before Independence Day.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Federal health officials are attempting to track down the source of a microscopic parasite that triggers prolonged gastrointestinal illness, as domestic cases begin to climb for the summer season.
—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
In the wake of the administration's cost-cutting initiatives, more than 20,000 employees are gone from the USDA, which develops and implements agriculture policy and provides resources to producers of livestock vulnerable to the parasite.
—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for parasite
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Federal health officials are attempting to track down the source of a microscopic parasite that triggers prolonged gastrointestinal illness, as domestic cases begin to climb for the summer season.
—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
2 July 2026
Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
In the wake of the administration's cost-cutting initiatives, more than 20,000 employees are gone from the USDA, which develops and implements agriculture policy and provides resources to producers of livestock vulnerable to the parasite.
—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for parasite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasite
Noun
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The lightning-fast process leeches out flavor and compromises textures, and can produce bland, mushy results.
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The fact is that leeches are relished by everything from walleyes and bass to trout and all the panfish.
Noun
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Allow the solution to work for at least five minutes and, again, starting at the top of the door, scrub with a sponge.
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Scrub the grates with an old rag or abrasive dish sponge and rinse well.
Noun
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Evidence of similar injuries was found on another 18-year-old dependent in the couple’s care, resulting in additional misdemeanor assault charges, officials said.
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Borrowing limits for Parent PLUS are also changing Parent PLUS loans also will be capped at $20,000 a year per student, with a $65,000 lifetime limit per dependent, unless a borrower already has one of those loans.
Noun
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That will weed out the frauds, freeloaders and slumlords.
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That is to buy Apple stock, the greatest freeloader in this AI race.
Noun
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Now, Lilith must team up with Cinderella to fight biker trolls, outrun evil henchmen, and escape the Screaming Woods.
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Launched in early 1982, the original MOTU line-up saw He-Man and Skeletor joined by heroes Teela (at this point, the only female character), Man-at-Arms and Stratos; the morally ambiguous Zodac; and a couple of Skeletor's henchmen, Beast Man and Mer-Man.
Cite this Entry
“Parasite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasite. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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