LEECH Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'leech' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of leech are parasite , sponge , sycophant , and toady . While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage. // a leech living off his family and friends

Q: When is 'parasite' a more appropriate choice than 'leech'?

The words parasite and leech are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society. // a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

Q: When can 'sponge' be used instead of 'leech'?

The synonyms sponge and leech are sometimes interchangeable, but sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger. // a shiftless sponge , always looking for a handout

Q: In what contexts can 'sycophant' take the place of 'leech'?

The words sycophant and leech can be used in similar contexts, but sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation. // a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

Q: When could 'toady' be used to replace 'leech'?

In some situations, the words toady and leech are roughly equivalent. However, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker. // cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

leech 1 of 2

noun

ˈlēch

Definition of leech next

as in parasite

a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return whenever the gang went out for pizza, the leech in the group always had an excuse for not paying his fair share

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

leech

2 of 2

verb

as in to sponge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun leech differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of leech are parasite, sponge, sycophant, and toady. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

When is parasite a more appropriate choice than leech?

The words parasite and leech are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

When can sponge be used instead of leech?

The synonyms sponge and leech are sometimes interchangeable, but sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

In what contexts can sycophant take the place of leech?

The words sycophant and leech can be used in similar contexts, but sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

When could toady be used to replace leech?

In some situations, the words toady and leech are roughly equivalent. However, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of leech

Noun

Both legs were covered in black leeches, many over three inches long. —

Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 16 Oct. 2024 But the twist of Harley being yet another leech off Arthur, plus fabricating her own traumatic backstory just to fetishize Arthur’s mental illness, was a disservice to the lore of Harley herself. —

Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2024

Verb

Meanwhile, there are few scenes of Mollie interacting with her Osage family and their rituals free from the eyes of the white men who seek to leech their riches. —

Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2024 These costumes, typically worn just once each year, also pile up in landfills and can leech plastics into waterways. —

Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for leech

Recent Examples of Synonyms for leech

Noun

Blood smear tests showed no evidence of parasites, and a computed tomography (CT) scan of her head showed no acute intracranial abnormalities.

— Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2025
Accident-only plans do not cover medical issues, such as parasites, cancer or cruciate ligament injuries.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2025