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
It is caused by eating or drinking food contaminated with either bacteria, viruses, parasites or a harmful toxin.
—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Always wear gloves before handling nests to protect yourself from any germs or parasites.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 June 2026
Most portable filters won’t catch viruses or bacteria, but one certified to NSF Standard 53 or 58 with a small enough pore size can remove parasites.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
Tick season is in full swing, and unfortunately for us humans, these parasites are having a banner year.
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Some organisms are subjected to passive locomotion, carried by water or air (jellyfish, spiders), while many parasites (from ticks to hookworms) ride on or inside other animals.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Even young raccoons can bite or scratch when frightened, and wild animals can carry parasites and diseases, says Rakestraw.
—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
These organisms were either in symbiotic association with, engulfed as food by, or parasites of other prokaryotic cells, presumably Asgard archaea—a group of archaea thought to be the closest prokaryotic relative of eukaryotes.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 June 2026
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
2 July 2026
Only in these United States can the progeny of people once portrayed as parasites and invaders side with those making the same argument about the latest batch of newcomers.
—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Always wear gloves before handling nests to protect yourself from any germs or parasites.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
29 June 2026
Most portable filters won’t catch viruses or bacteria, but one certified to NSF Standard 53 or 58 with a small enough pore size can remove parasites.
—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2026
Tick season is in full swing, and unfortunately for us humans, these parasites are having a banner year.
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Some organisms are subjected to passive locomotion, carried by water or air (jellyfish, spiders), while many parasites (from ticks to hookworms) ride on or inside other animals.
—
Literary Hub,
22 June 2026
Even young raccoons can bite or scratch when frightened, and wild animals can carry parasites and diseases, says Rakestraw.
—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
These organisms were either in symbiotic association with, engulfed as food by, or parasites of other prokaryotic cells, presumably Asgard archaea—a group of archaea thought to be the closest prokaryotic relative of eukaryotes.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parasites
Noun
-
The lightning-fast process leeches out flavor and compromises textures, and can produce bland, mushy results.
-
The fact is that leeches are relished by everything from walleyes and bass to trout and all the panfish.
Noun
-
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.
-
Hang towels, bath mats, and washcloths, loofahs, or sponges to air-dry thoroughly after each use since damp towels can encourage mold growth.
Noun
-
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.
-
That will weed out the frauds, freeloaders and slumlords.
Noun
-
And so does Jesse — particularly the latest installment, which sees the iconic henchmen find themselves as accidental stars in 1920s Hollywood.
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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.
Noun
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Iyanla Vanzant, the program’s host, chided Holmes for squandering much of her fortune, buying properties and paying allowances to hangers-on.
-
And among the security staff, assorted suits and other hangers-on, the money promised to the players disappeared.
Noun
-
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.
-
As if dealing with fleas in your yard isn’t enough, these little bloodsuckers can infest your home, too.
Cite this Entry
“Parasites.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parasites. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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