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
Despite having blood parasites and heart-worm disease, Sena was otherwise healthy, though her organs immediately gave her old age away.
—
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
That connection between parasites and environment is what excites her most.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In the chronic phase, the parasites hide in the heart and digestive muscles for one to three decades after infection.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
The Deadly Kissing Bug, or an infected triatomine insect, are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Tracking the spread of parasites and diseases in wild moose populations helps wildlife managers preserve those populations and reduce the spread to other animals or livestock.
—Jessie Richards, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
And if there's a bite mark, chances are some contamination has happened because animals can carry bacteria and parasites in their saliva.
—Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
Their feces leave parasites on a person’s skin, and the parasites can go into a person’s body via the eyes, mouth, or an open wound.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Flea or Chigger Bites Fleas are tiny parasites that bite humans and animals to suck their blood.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
That connection between parasites and environment is what excites her most.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
In the chronic phase, the parasites hide in the heart and digestive muscles for one to three decades after infection.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
The Deadly Kissing Bug, or an infected triatomine insect, are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Tracking the spread of parasites and diseases in wild moose populations helps wildlife managers preserve those populations and reduce the spread to other animals or livestock.
—Jessie Richards, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
And if there's a bite mark, chances are some contamination has happened because animals can carry bacteria and parasites in their saliva.
—Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
Their feces leave parasites on a person’s skin, and the parasites can go into a person’s body via the eyes, mouth, or an open wound.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Flea or Chigger Bites Fleas are tiny parasites that bite humans and animals to suck their blood.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites
Noun
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Once the workplace of Revolutionary War figure General Hugh Mercer, the recreated 18th-century pharmacy and doctor’s office is filled with tinctures, leeches, and surgical tools, all explained by costumed interpreters.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
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The small-mouth bass go for the leeches, too.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One of the main reasons for the vast difference is that toilets are made of non-porous material, whereas sponges are highly porous and inviting for germs.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The same rule applies to abrasive sponges or metal scrubbers.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Over eight episodes, the brothers find themselves at the mercy of Mancuso — a former family friend — and his vicious henchmen, and they are forced to confront the emotional scars of growing up with an alcoholic father, who had gambled away his own restaurant.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Sep. 2025
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At the end of the episode, tragedy strikes when Robbie’s latest robbery ends in one of his henchmen and all of the drug house’s attendants dying.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mike Appel led the session from behind the board, with the engineer Louis Lahav at his side and a scattering of staff, friends, and other hangers-on lurking here and there.—
Peter Ames Carlin,
Rolling Stone,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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,
17 Oct. 2024
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Maine overrun by the bloodsuckers.—
Dan Heching,
CNN,
1 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Parasites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasites. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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