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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun parasite differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of parasite are leech, sponge, sycophant, and toady. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

When is it sensible to use leech instead of parasite?

While the synonyms leech and parasite are close in meaning, leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

When is sponge a more appropriate choice than parasite?

The synonyms sponge and parasite are sometimes interchangeable, but sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

When would sycophant be a good substitute for parasite?

The words sycophant and parasite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

In what contexts can toady take the place of parasite?

The meanings of toady and parasite largely overlap; however, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

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 parasite Always wear gloves before handling nests to protect yourself from any germs or parasites. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 July 2025 Introducing coral from other parts of the world can be highly dangerous to local reefs — coral from the Pacific or even the eastern Caribbean could carry parasites and diseases that Florida corals are vulnerable to. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025 Ana Gutierrez and Caleb Yum fanned out across town, took the parasite scan, collected the tote bag and came back with this report on five activations including the Lodge from Paramount+, FX's Alien experience and the Museum of the Future House. Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 The current threat represents the parasite's northward march through Central America over two years, reaching Mexico in November 2024 and spreading to within 700 miles of the U.S. border. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for parasite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasite
Noun
  • When the writer Mary Roach went to visit the Mütter offices, Hicks greeted her with one of his pet leeches hanging from his arm.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
  • Stay close to the leaders and lifters and move away from the loafers and leeches.
    Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Spray the mixture onto your countertops and let the solution sit for 3-5 minutes before wiping it down with a soft sponge or cloth.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
  • These extended wait times alone could cause a child to miss out entirely on the benefits of intervention during the sponge years.
    Rachelle Rutherford, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Social Security provides benefits to more than 74 million Americans, including retirees, veterans, and their dependents.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 19 July 2025
  • And the 1987 requirement that taxpayers supply Social Security numbers for dependent children resulted in a marked difference in the numbers of dependents claimed on returns—seven million fewer dependent children were claimed than in the previous year.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • But poor people on Medicaid or food stamps, according to this administration, those are the real moochers in this country.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Simply put, some animals don’t like moochers.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The showdown of General Zod and his henchmen also takes place at the Fortress, with a great twist to defeat them.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 11 July 2025
  • The mosasaur has henchman spinosaurs – a nice touch – while a titanosaurus couple shares a loving moment (which gets interrupted by some pesky humans).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • In what qualifies as high concept by Madea-movie standards, the character is transplanted to a resort in the Bahamas along with her family and the usual hangers-on.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 14 July 2025
  • Financial literacy is a fundamental need for players making tens of millions of dollars, engulfed in a universe of scheming advisors and hangers-on looking to cash in.
    Guy Lawson, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • After the wild evening at the sawmill turns into a vampire showdown, most party attendees are reborn as bloodsuckers — including Stack and Mary — with only Smoke and Sammie left standing.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 5 July 2025
  • Plenty of horror movies have shifted the focus from vampires to vampire hunters, imagining an underground network of stake-drivers combatting the elusive breed of bloodsuckers.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Parasite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasite. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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