as in leeches
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 parasites
Sette is considered an expert on human T cells, the immune cells that adapt to recognize and fight infections from viruses, bacteria, parasites and other pathogens.
—
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Bed nets and drugs save lives, but the family of parasites that cause malaria, called Plasmodium, keeps evolving new ways to survive.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
There are several naturally-occurring predators and parasites of scale insects that may eat enough scale to suppress an outbreak without intervention.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Bathing like this may influence the macaque’s parasites and gut microbes, according to a study Langgeng co-authored that was recently published in the journal Primates.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026
Ivermectin, which originated as a treatment for horse parasites, gained traction on social media during the pandemic as an option for treating coronavirus.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
The team observed that even parasites lost vitamin C synthesis over the course of evolution.
—Jay Kakade
january 19, New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
Most intestinal parasites are limited to certain species and transmission is usually through ingestion of parasitic eggs found in feces.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Poor, predominantly Black communities face recurring sewage flooding that exposes residents to harmful parasites, destroyed homes and serious health risks.
—Tammy Webber, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Bed nets and drugs save lives, but the family of parasites that cause malaria, called Plasmodium, keeps evolving new ways to survive.
—Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
There are several naturally-occurring predators and parasites of scale insects that may eat enough scale to suppress an outbreak without intervention.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
Bathing like this may influence the macaque’s parasites and gut microbes, according to a study Langgeng co-authored that was recently published in the journal Primates.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026
Ivermectin, which originated as a treatment for horse parasites, gained traction on social media during the pandemic as an option for treating coronavirus.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
The team observed that even parasites lost vitamin C synthesis over the course of evolution.
—Jay Kakade
january 19, New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2026
Most intestinal parasites are limited to certain species and transmission is usually through ingestion of parasitic eggs found in feces.
—Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
Poor, predominantly Black communities face recurring sewage flooding that exposes residents to harmful parasites, destroyed homes and serious health risks.
—Tammy Webber, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites
Noun
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The team selected specific animal spirits – deer, buffalo, leeches, fleas, ants, and softshell turtles – which Setyanto translated into movement.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Even in modern medicine, the practice isn’t obsolete; doctors sometimes apply live leeches after reconstructive surgery to keep blood from clotting in flaps of tissue.—
Blair Braverman,
Outside,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Allow to sit 10-15 minutes Wipe and scrape the paste gently away with microfiber cloths, soft sponges, and a plastic or silicone scraper.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Among the species discovered were ancient relatives of worms, sponges and jellyfish.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Campillo objected to that rationale, contending residents of nearby cities shouldn’t be treated the same as tourists or characterized as rich freeloaders for visiting Balboa Park as non-residents of San Diego.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Remember how in 2023 when swarms of these surly, entitled freeloaders suddenly materialized – in Terminal E, of all places.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
28 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Also newly attached to Write to Kill are Simon Newton and Mike Wood, who will play henchmen.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Kyle’s wife, Tracy, suddenly leaves Kingstown for her sister’s home in Ohio this week, urged by Kyle and Mike to get herself and her baby as far away from Merle’s henchmen as possible.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
23 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Meynecke said his footage suggested the whales found their hangers-on annoying.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
-
During the 2024 election, Amazon’s Prime Video tapped Brian Williams to moderate a conversation-heavy Election Night hangout with a large crowd of journalists, influencers and hangers-on.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This Reagan-era standout brought the over-the-top gore but also plenty of camp in a coming-of-age story with teens becoming bloodsuckers.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
-
But while the New Zealander won a Golden Globe for her portrayal in 2009, Paquin broke out long before Sookie was slinging drinks and slaying bloodsuckers.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Parasites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasites. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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