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

Below the surface of Norway’s glassy ocean fjords, a series of cameras closely monitors thousands of salmon for parasites.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

Bedbugs are small, wingless parasites that can live on clothes, furniture and bedding.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

Our host, sitting alongside his “BioCharger” machine, prepared us for a session in which he would rid us of parasites inside the body and also parasites out in the world.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

I imagined honey-colored parasites celebrating in my golden-tinted organs as I alternately froze and burned.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

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