leech Synonyms
Another word for leech
• noun (Context 1)
A segmented, mostly aquatic worm of the subclass Hirudinea, typically having a sucker at each end and often feeding on the blood of vertebrates.
"After wading through the tropical marsh, the biologist found a bloodsucker firmly attached to his ankle."
• noun (Context 2)
A person who extorts profit from or sponges on others, exploiting them for material or financial gain.
"He finally cut ties with the opportunistic parasite who had been draining his savings for years."
• verb (Context 3)
To exploit someone by habitually extracting money, resources, or energy from them.
"Instead of finding a job, he spent years leeching off his wealthy parents."
• noun (Context 4)
An archaic term for a physician or healer, particularly one who practiced the medical procedure of bloodletting.
"The royal physician was summoned to the king's bedchamber to treat his sudden and severe fever."
• verb (Context 5)
To treat a medical condition by applying leeches to bleed the patient (archaic medical practice).
"In medieval times, barbers and physicians would commonly bleed their patients in an attempt to balance the body's humors."
Opposites of leech
The opposite of leech shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: