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
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
The study, published today in the Lancet, suggests that people with obesity may be more susceptible to death and hospitalization from a variety of infections caused by viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 9 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
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
More insulated hollow trees are cozy in the cold but communal, and so come with the risk of sharing parasites.
—Steven Sullivan, 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
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
The study, published today in the Lancet, suggests that people with obesity may be more susceptible to death and hospitalization from a variety of infections caused by viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 9 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
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
More insulated hollow trees are cozy in the cold but communal, and so come with the risk of sharing parasites.
—Steven Sullivan, 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
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
-
Cleaning pros recommend replacing dish towels, sponges and scrubbers, plastic containers, and cutting boards frequently to maintain kitchen hygiene.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 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
-
Ben, flanked by his henchmen, was seen as formidable and dangerous.—
Thomas Morgan,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Also newly attached to Write to Kill are Simon Newton and Mike Wood, who will play henchmen.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 Dec. 2025
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 21 Feb. 2026.
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