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
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
The noodle-thin parasites then burrow their way out, breaking through the skin in burning blisters.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Jan. 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
Despite concerns that shared hot springs may increase exposure to intestinal parasites, the bathing macaques did not have higher parasite infection rates or intensities than those that stayed out of the water.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026
Ivermectin, which originated as a treatment for horse parasites, gained traction on social media during the pandemic as an option for treating coronavirus.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
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
The noodle-thin parasites then burrow their way out, breaking through the skin in burning blisters.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 Jan. 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
Despite concerns that shared hot springs may increase exposure to intestinal parasites, the bathing macaques did not have higher parasite infection rates or intensities than those that stayed out of the water.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026
Ivermectin, which originated as a treatment for horse parasites, gained traction on social media during the pandemic as an option for treating coronavirus.
—Will Carless, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites
Noun
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The team selected specific animal spirits – deer, buffalo, leeches, fleas, ants, and softshell turtles – which Setyanto translated into movement.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
23 Jan. 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
-
Dirty sponges, towels, and dishes are the most common gross kitchen items.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Consider other products that complement the shower steamer experience, like shower gels, lotions and loofah sponges, in your gift set too.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 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
-
No pop artist has ever survived haters, handlers and hangers-on without a scratch.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Meynecke said his footage suggested the whales found their hangers-on annoying.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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