LEECH: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for LEECH?

Need another word that means the same as “leech”? Find 12 synonyms and 30 related words for “leech” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Leech” are: parasite, sponge, sponger, bloodsucker, hirudinean, clinger, barnacle, passenger, layabout, bleed, phlebotomise, phlebotomize

Leech as a Noun

Definitions of "Leech" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “leech” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A person who extorts profit from or sponges on others.
• An aquatic or terrestrial annelid worm with suckers at both ends. Many species are bloodsucking parasites, especially of vertebrates, and others are predators.
• A follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage.
• Carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end.

Synonyms of "Leech" as a noun (9 Words)

barnacle	European goose smaller than the brant; breeds in the far north. Buses careered along with men hanging from their doors like barnacles.
bloodsucker	A person who extorts money or otherwise lives off other people.
clinger	Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
hirudinean	Carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end.
layabout	A person who habitually does little or no work. How d you get mixed up with that layabout.
parasite	An animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host. He was a parasite who lived off other people.
passenger	A member of a team or group who does far less effective work than the other members. He had been a superlative teacher but his health was gone and he was now a passenger.
sponge	An act of wiping or cleaning with a sponge. They gave him a quick sponge down.
sponger	A person who applies decoration to pottery with a sponge.

Usage Examples of "Leech" as a noun

• They are leeches feeding off the hard-working majority.

Leech as a Verb

Definitions of "Leech" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “leech” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Habitually exploit or rely on.
• Draw blood.

Synonyms of "Leech" as a verb (3 Words)

bleed	Release fluid or gas from (a closed system) by allowing air to escape through a valve. He didn t bleed his patients with leeches.
phlebotomise	Draw blood.
phlebotomize	Withdraw blood from (a person) by surgically opening or puncturing a vein, historically for the purpose of bloodletting. It may be necessary to phlebotomize the patient.

Usage Examples of "Leech" as a verb

• He's leeching off the abilities of others.

Associations of "Leech" (30 Words)

absorbent	A material having capacity or tendency to absorb another substance. As absorbent as a sponge.
bacteria	Single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be.
bog	The toilet. The island is a wilderness of bog and loch.
bowel	The part of the alimentary canal below the stomach; the intestine. He felt his bowels loosen.
ciliated	Having a margin or fringe of hairlike projections.
compressible	Capable of being easily compressed. A compressible box.
damp	Damp air or atmosphere. An ensemble of drums including a foot damped instrument.
diarrhea	Frequent and watery bowel movements; can be a symptom of infection or food poisoning or colitis or a gastrointestinal tumor.
epithelial	Of or belonging to the epithelium. Ovarian epithelial tumours.
fawning	Attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery. Fawning interviews with Hollywood celebs.
fungus	Any of a group of spore-producing organisms feeding on organic matter, including moulds, yeast, mushrooms, and toadstools. Fallen logs were overgrown with bright fungus.
imbibe	Take (gas, light or heat) into a solution. If one does not imbibe the culture one cannot succeed.
intestinal	Of or relating to or inside the intestines. The intestinal tract.
larva	An immature form of other animals that undergo some metamorphosis, e.g. a tadpole.
mutualism	The doctrine that mutual dependence is necessary to social well-being.
parasite	An animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host. He was a parasite who lived off other people.
parasitism	Habitual reliance on or exploitation of others. Billionaires whose wealth is bound up with parasitism corruption and criminality.
protozoan	Relating to or denoting protozoans.
receptive	Able to receive signals or stimuli. A receptive audience.
soaked	Very drunk. He got absolutely soaked in the rain.
spicule	A short-lived, relatively small radial jet of gas in the chromosphere or lower corona of the sun.
sponge	Wipe with a sponge so as to clean or moisten. He edged closer clearly intending to sponge money from her.
sycophant	A person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage.
symbiosis	Interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both. A perfect mother and daughter symbiosis.
thirsty	Feeling a need to drink something. She s not even looking at you Stop being so thirsty.
toady	A person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage. She imagined him toadying to his rich clients.
wean	Accustom (an infant or other young mammal) to food other than its mother’s milk. The doctor tried to wean her off the sleeping pills.
wet	Cause to become wet. The race was held in the wet.