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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of parasite
Some organisms are subjected to passive locomotion, carried by water or air (jellyfish, spiders), while many parasites (from ticks to hookworms) ride on or inside other animals.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Health officials are warning that the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite once thought eradicated from the US, has resurfaced and is threatening cattle, wildlife and pets.
—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Texas has established animal quarantine zones across 14 counties to restrict movement and prevent the parasite's spread.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
The parasite has now been discovered in cattle in south Texas and New Mexico, which prompted Canada to slap bans on live cattle from the region.
—
Andrew Muhammad,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for parasite
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Health officials are warning that the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite once thought eradicated from the US, has resurfaced and is threatening cattle, wildlife and pets.
—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Texas has established animal quarantine zones across 14 counties to restrict movement and prevent the parasite's spread.
—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
The parasite has now been discovered in cattle in south Texas and New Mexico, which prompted Canada to slap bans on live cattle from the region.
—
Andrew Muhammad,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for parasite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasite
Noun
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The fact is that leeches are relished by everything from walleyes and bass to trout and all the panfish.
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The wetland habitats of Condylura cristata are rich in small-bodied invertebrates — earthworms, leeches, aquatic insect larvae — but the individual caloric value of each prey item is low.
Noun
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Use a clean microfiber cloth or soft sponge to scrub the surface from top to bottom, and use an old toothbrush to clean the grout lines.
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Rinse your sponge or cloth and wipe again.
Noun
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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.
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While patterns are complex, China’s investment in South Korea grows, while North Korea remains a costly dependent of Beijing.
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 26 Jun. 2026.
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