PARASITES Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

parasites

noun

plural of parasite

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of parasites But the parasites in the sequel are much more than some acid-blooded jack-in-a-box. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026 Researchers say many parasites have evolved ways to avoid or delay elimination by the body's immune system, making long-lasting immunity difficult to develop. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 16 July 2026 Twelve percent to 14% carry babesiosis parasites and 7% to 8% the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 Biggerstaff said the agency is pulling together data on what people ate and where, genetic data from the parasites, and trace-back data on food sources. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026 Food and water can carry the parasites after coming into contact with feces infected with tiny cyclospora. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2026 The parasites need to be scrubbed off or cut off as much as possible. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 14 July 2026 This is because sandboxes can become infected with fecal microbes and parasites from wild and domesticated animals—including millions of free-roaming cats. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2026 The second was found orphaned in Carmel, underweight and heavily burdened with parasites. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 12 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites

Noun

The lightning-fast process leeches out flavor and compromises textures, and can produce bland, mushy results.

— Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 June 2026
The fact is that leeches are relished by everything from walleyes and bass to trout and all the panfish.

— Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026

Definition of leeches

Noun

Here are the places to avoid using a Magic Eraser and other similar melamine sponges.

— Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 5 July 2026
This $8 find keeps utensils in their place (literally), and this sink organizer has a spot for brushes, sponges, dish soap, and even drains water back into the sink for zero mess.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026

Definition of sponges

Noun

The wide-open scam enriched Haitian freeloaders as Bonheur personally netted a million bucks in just two years after Joe Biden rang the dinner bell for every grifter in the Third World.

— Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026
Allied participation should likewise be expanded so that deterrence is shared rather than carried by Washington alone for the benefit of freeloaders who consume Middle Eastern hydrocarbons and fertilizers.

— Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of freeloaders

Noun

And so does Jesse — particularly the latest installment, which sees the iconic henchmen find themselves as accidental stars in 1920s Hollywood.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Now, Lilith must team up with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) to fight biker trolls, outrun evil henchmen, and escape the Screaming Woods on an epic quest to save the kingdom, but most importantly, their relationship.

— Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of henchmen

Noun

Iyanla Vanzant, the program’s host, chided Holmes for squandering much of her fortune, buying properties and paying allowances to hangers-on.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026
And among the security staff, assorted suits and other hangers-on, the money promised to the players disappeared.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026

Definition of hangers-on

Noun

These bloodsuckers can carry several potentially severe diseases, and shifting species ranges mean Lake County has a growing variety of ticks, said county Health Department Ecological Services Program Coordinator Alana Bartolai.

— Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
The phrase has its own meaning within Anne Rice’s lush, grandiose world of bloodsuckers and spell-casters as interpreted by creator and showrunner Rolin Jones.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026

Definition of bloodsuckers

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“Parasites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasites. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of parasites

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