Synonyms for
Parasite
Definition
a creature that lives on or in another organism and benefits by taking nutrients from its host, often harming the host in the process
Synonyms & similar words
Synonyms by register
Informal
Literary
Antonyms
Common collocations
- social parasite
- political parasite
- intellectual parasite
- blood parasite
- plant parasite
- animal parasite
- human parasite
- economic parasite
Word family
Usage note
Often used metaphorically to describe someone who exploits others. The term carries a strong negative connotation.
Example sentences
- The cat had a parasite in its stomach that made it sick.
- The farmer used a special shampoo to get rid of the parasites on his sheep.
- Humans can also be infected by parasites like tapeworms and lice.
- The mosquito is a common parasite that spreads diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
- Some plants have parasites that feed on their leaves and sap.
Quotes
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist. And like that... he's gone. -Verbal Kint (The Usual Suspects)
I'm a parasite that lives on the blood of the people -Michael Moore
I'm a fighter, not a parasite. -Evander Holyfield