as in leech
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of parasite
Wear gloves to protect yourself from any germs or parasites, then throw the nest in the trash.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
The winter months typically help bottleneck Colorado’s tick population, but this season’s abnormal weather allowed the small parasites to get a head start on looking for hosts, Roundy said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
After being tested for airtightness, helium was pumped into the glass enclosure through thin tubes inserted into the lead lining, to protect the document from corrosive oxygen and parasites.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Last May, more than 70 people who visited a farm in the Welsh town of Cowbridge were infected by the parasite, with 16 hospitalized.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for parasite
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
The winter months typically help bottleneck Colorado’s tick population, but this season’s abnormal weather allowed the small parasites to get a head start on looking for hosts, Roundy said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
After being tested for airtightness, helium was pumped into the glass enclosure through thin tubes inserted into the lead lining, to protect the document from corrosive oxygen and parasites.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Last May, more than 70 people who visited a farm in the Welsh town of Cowbridge were infected by the parasite, with 16 hospitalized.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for parasite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasite
Noun
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Similar copper mines in Colorado have already demonstrated how sulfuric acid leeches into the water table as a result of this mining method.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
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Crappie like to hover below their prey, fining in place and examining slow-swimming invertebrates such as damselfly, dragonfly, and mayfly nymphs, as well as small leeches.—
Cory Schmidt,
Outdoor Life,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Use a sponge or nylon-bristle brush dipped in the soapy solution to scrub the furniture.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
16 May 2026
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Considerations Before Getting Started Never use abrasive sponges, metal utensils, or harsh chemicals to clean your microwave.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Once a child is declared a dependent of the court and is placed in foster care, as Jaxon was, social workers are required to visit in person at least once a month.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
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Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent.—
Darrell Smith
May 1,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
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That will weed out the frauds, freeloaders and slumlords.—
Scott Ostler,
San Francisco Chronicle,
1 Mar. 2026
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That is to buy Apple stock, the greatest freeloader in this AI race.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Major Roberto Carlos told the silent henchman to sit me down at the back of the building, where another agent came and took my phone and laptop with him down a long hall.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
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Jai Courtney will play Rob-Will, a ranch foreman and one of Beulah Jackson’s henchmen.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Parasite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasite. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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