as in dwarf
a person of no importance or influence
the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names
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Recent Examples of insect
All those additional insects can do serious damage.
—
The Conversation, Fortune, 14 May 2026
If the container held diseased plants, was infested with insects, or is full of mold, throw out the potting mix and replace it.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Other detainees have said worms turn up in the food, toilets don’t flush and mosquitoes and other insects are everywhere.
—Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
To help this happen, add pollinator-friendly plants to attract these helpful insects to your garden.
—Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for insect
The Conversation, Fortune, 14 May 2026
If the container held diseased plants, was infested with insects, or is full of mold, throw out the potting mix and replace it.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Other detainees have said worms turn up in the food, toilets don’t flush and mosquitoes and other insects are everywhere.
—Mike Schneider, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
To help this happen, add pollinator-friendly plants to attract these helpful insects to your garden.
—Shelby Vittek, The Spruce, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for insect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insect
Noun
-
Over billions of years, the galaxy probably collided with smaller dwarf galaxies, which brought in fresh gas and stars and helped build up the outer spiral arms.—
Lisa Kewley,
The Conversation,
14 May 2026
-
The shrub grows 6 to 15 feet tall; there are dwarf, medium-sized, and tall varieties.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
12 Mar. 2026
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The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Unlike some of his more strapping forebears (think Liam Neeson, Kevin Costner, or Aaron Eckhart), Odenkirk specializes in nobodies and normals: people one would not expect to be killing machines.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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After all, why listen to a podcast with two nobodies co-hosting when a listener can get an hour from a familiar celebrity.—
Frank Racioppi,
Forbes.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
-
Although lightweight, the shoe doesn’t compromise on support — it’s designed with a memory foam sole that absorbs impact and provides an extra layer of padding.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The number of teams and bowls involved could shift as discussions become more serious.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The promises made and attacks scattered like buckshot on the San Francisco soundstage all seem much less important than the numbers that show up in opinion polls between now and Election Day.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insect. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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