parasites

NOUN

something that exists by taking from or depending on another

Synonyms

STRONG

barnacle bloodsucker bootlicker deadbeat dependent flunky freeloader groupie hanger-on idler leech scrounger sponge stooge sucker sycophant taker

Antonyms

WEAK

blessing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

parasites

For example, before vaccines kick in, sharing a litter box with another house cat risks transferring parasites.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

"One of my takeaway conclusions from the Science paper was that many Greenland sharks have parasites attached to their eyes -- which could impair their vision," she says.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026

These experiments led to numerous advances, including the establishment of the first marine laboratory in the Indian Ocean, on the southwestern coast of Ceylon, and confirmation of the theory that pearls are formed from parasites.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

A lab tests the mosquitoes for parasites and viruses.

From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026

The Chinchorro, it seems, were beset by parasites.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann