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.

This research is among the first to connect a natural behavior in a wild primate with changes in both ectoparasites and the gut microbiome.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

“Yes, we did work on ectoparasites and receive samples,” Silaghi says.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 15, 2022

If nausea and vomiting protect against ingesting dangerous microbes, scratching might protect against ectoparasites.

From New York Times • Jul. 27, 2021

“We expected to see a lot of ectoparasites and a lot of fecal bacteria, because there’s been a lot of evidence showing that fecal bacteria builds up in the fur of chimpanzees,” says Thoemmes.

From National Geographic • May 15, 2018

Some ectoparasites begin to leave the host when it dies, and any counts of ectoparasites made from snap-trapped voles may fall short of the number which was on the animal when it was alive.

From Natural History of the Prairie Vole (Mammalian Genus Microtus) [KU. Vol. 1 No. 7] by Jameson, E. W.