as in dwarves
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 insects
The lizards primarily live off insects and arthropods, but their proximity to humans has led to some developing a more omnivorous approach to their foraging.
—
ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
The smallest may sit just inches above the water seeking tiny fish or insects.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Though the Jorōgumo may eat humans, the Joro spider will eat whatever lands in their web — which is mainly insects.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025
The insects can feed on people, domestic animals and wildlife.
—Greta Cross, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Limiting outdoor lighting at night to help keep them away, since lights can draw the insects in.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
Look for signs of insects under the leaves and at the nodes where new leaves develop.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
During the late summer and early fall, the availability of insects and other food drops.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
Bed Bugs Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on humans and animals during the night.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
The smallest may sit just inches above the water seeking tiny fish or insects.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Though the Jorōgumo may eat humans, the Joro spider will eat whatever lands in their web — which is mainly insects.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025
The insects can feed on people, domestic animals and wildlife.
—Greta Cross, Freep.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Limiting outdoor lighting at night to help keep them away, since lights can draw the insects in.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
Look for signs of insects under the leaves and at the nodes where new leaves develop.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
During the late summer and early fall, the availability of insects and other food drops.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Sep. 2025
Bed Bugs Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on humans and animals during the night.
—Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insects
Noun
-
She, the cinema; he, the audience — these ciphers would be compelling in short-form, but in carrying a feature they’re only buoyed by the natural chemistry of their performers.—
Blake Simons,
IndieWire,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Most organizations have little to no understanding of what cryptographic ciphers, keys and protocols are in use across their networks, applications and devices.—
Anand Oswal,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
More importantly, the narrative explores both sides of the conflict from the POV of grunts and 'nobodies' trying to navigate the post-Civil War state of the galaxy before the fighting stops.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The box covers the most popular classes and ancestries such as humans, elves, dwarves and halflings.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
His social media footprint dwarfs that of even Timothée Chalamet.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insects. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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