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
There, all animals undergo full medical evaluations, including testing for diseases, worms, and parasites.
—
Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The medication used to treat some parasites has also been used to treat COVID-19.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Ticks Ticks are small parasites that range in color and size.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Swimmer's itch is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Human excrement can contain a wide range of parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can contaminate bodies of water, causing harm not only to humans but also to flora and fauna.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 27 Aug. 2025
Untreated water sources like lakes and rivers can contain harmful bacteria or parasites, leading to illness.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Dogs could also ingest intestinal parasites, such as roundworms or hookworms, left from animal droppings.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Nearly 850 species of parasites are known to infect people; some, like the potentially deadly plasmodium parasite that causes malaria, are well-known.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The medication used to treat some parasites has also been used to treat COVID-19.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Ticks Ticks are small parasites that range in color and size.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2025
Swimmer's itch is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Human excrement can contain a wide range of parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can contaminate bodies of water, causing harm not only to humans but also to flora and fauna.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 27 Aug. 2025
Untreated water sources like lakes and rivers can contain harmful bacteria or parasites, leading to illness.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Dogs could also ingest intestinal parasites, such as roundworms or hookworms, left from animal droppings.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
Nearly 850 species of parasites are known to infect people; some, like the potentially deadly plasmodium parasite that causes malaria, are well-known.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites
Noun
-
The small-mouth bass go for the leeches, too.—
Jeremy Rutherford,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Her book Saving Fish from Drowning, from drowning features a number of leeches.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Most silicone sponges can last several years, and this one is fast-drying and made from nonscratch silicone that works well on glass, plastic, stone, and wood.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Don't make the mistake of using abrasive cleaning products or scrubber sponges on your mixer.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Or is the Ram the literal Devil and every demon that comes through in these movies his henchmen/henchdolls?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The citizens of Venezuela don't deserve to live under the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 11 Sep. 2025.
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