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
Crustaceans are nibblers of plants, scavengers of carrion, and parasites of larger animals.
—
Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
Further, co-author Thomas Wierzba, a professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest School of Medicine, explains that ETVAX reduced moderate-to-severe diarrhea from viruses, bacteria or other parasites by 21 percent.
—Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026
When countries are unable to provide treatment, the parasites that cause these diseases will spread to infect more people.
—Philip Budge, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
The parasites are not a health risk if the fish is cooked to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2026
Also required is proof of a negative fecal test for internal parasites.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
The drug, largely used to treat people or animals for infections caused by parasites, is a popular dewormer for horses.
—Rachana Pradhan, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Many of the other dogs showed signs consistent with long-term outdoor neglect, including parasites, dental issues, and untreated medical conditions such as Giardia, fleas, and ticks.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
People can get parasites in ways including spending time in areas with them, from contaminated food or water, or from bug bites.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2026
Further, co-author Thomas Wierzba, a professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest School of Medicine, explains that ETVAX reduced moderate-to-severe diarrhea from viruses, bacteria or other parasites by 21 percent.
—Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 10 Mar. 2026
When countries are unable to provide treatment, the parasites that cause these diseases will spread to infect more people.
—Philip Budge, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
The parasites are not a health risk if the fish is cooked to at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2026
Also required is proof of a negative fecal test for internal parasites.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
The drug, largely used to treat people or animals for infections caused by parasites, is a popular dewormer for horses.
—Rachana Pradhan, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Many of the other dogs showed signs consistent with long-term outdoor neglect, including parasites, dental issues, and untreated medical conditions such as Giardia, fleas, and ticks.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
People can get parasites in ways including spending time in areas with them, from contaminated food or water, or from bug bites.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites
Noun
-
In an effort to save Cathy, doctors place leeches over her body in hopes of removing the bad blood.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
14 Feb. 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
-
Glass sponges build intricate, mesh-like skeletons out of silica — the same material used to make glass.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Kitchen sponges trap food particles and bacteria.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Under Bolsonaro, state funding dried up, and the government painted artists as freeloaders wasting taxpayer money.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
House, a Kiwi familiar from various Taika Waititi projects including the recent TV adaptation of Time Bandits, is a constance source of unexpected danger, while Hughes, George Mason and Matuse all get good moments as her variably bumbling henchmen.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
-
At his orders, cartel henchmen began setting fire to vehicles, gas stations and government buildings and blockaded major highways.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The world has gotten a glimpse of the fawning, skeezy shamelessness of his famous hangers-on, but not enough to criminally implicate them.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Oh, and a trio of baddie bloodsuckers from another coven are also interested in taking a bite.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Parasites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasites. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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