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
And there is a risk of the parasites becoming dormant for years before reactivating and destroying a new cornea.
—
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
There's no shortage of parasites eating away at her sanity.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The scariest change, though, is that in an America where guardrails have fallen, tech-sector parasites run amok in our hands and heads, and trust in government is close to nonexistent, what seemed totally implausible in 1996 now feels like reasonable societal comment.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The scariest change, though, is that in an America where guardrails have fallen, tech sector parasites run amok in our hands and heads and trust in government is close to nonexistent, what seemed totally implausible in 1996 now feels like reasonable societal comment.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Especially from Sarah Gailey, whose high-concept SFF works feature clone wives, sentient (and sexy) parasites, and magic school noir—now, delving into the darkness of self-improvement communities.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Local communities have traditionally used it to ease inflammation, infections and parasites.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
She’s microchipped and up-to-date on vaccines and has been treated for parasites and fleas.
—Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
Extreme temperatures, parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria are all common dangers.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
There's no shortage of parasites eating away at her sanity.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
The scariest change, though, is that in an America where guardrails have fallen, tech-sector parasites run amok in our hands and heads, and trust in government is close to nonexistent, what seemed totally implausible in 1996 now feels like reasonable societal comment.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
The scariest change, though, is that in an America where guardrails have fallen, tech sector parasites run amok in our hands and heads and trust in government is close to nonexistent, what seemed totally implausible in 1996 now feels like reasonable societal comment.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Especially from Sarah Gailey, whose high-concept SFF works feature clone wives, sentient (and sexy) parasites, and magic school noir—now, delving into the darkness of self-improvement communities.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
Local communities have traditionally used it to ease inflammation, infections and parasites.
—FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
She’s microchipped and up-to-date on vaccines and has been treated for parasites and fleas.
—Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 20 Dec. 2025
Extreme temperatures, parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria are all common dangers.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites
Noun
-
The ancestors of leeches were unlikely to have sucked blood.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
23 Nov. 2025
-
Those who predicted a doomed future for all of humanity called us addicts and criminals, leeches and slime (and way worse things) because we were detested, shouted at, dragged by our arms across bedrooms and public sporting events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Located inside the Lamar Bathhouse, the shop is open daily, selling a variety of souvenirs that highlight the area's history, flora and fauna, and, of course, bath products—everything from fancy soaps and loofah sponges to bottles that can be filled with water from the hot springs.—
Alex Schechter,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Jan. 2026
-
How to Clean Baking Sheets With Aluminum Foil Scouring tools like aluminum foil or copper sponges can remove tough grime from baking sheets.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 16 Jan. 2026.
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