bloodsuckers

noun

plural of bloodsucker
1
as in parasites
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return the union accused the company executives of being bloodsuckers, since they had given themselves raises at a time when the rank and file were forced to take cuts in their benefits

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in vampires
a person who habitually preys upon others a sleazy lawyer who had a reputation for being a shyster, an ambulance chaser, and an all-around bloodsucker

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 bloodsuckers Ever since Bram Stoker popularized Count Dracula as a gothic figure of fantasy, the word vampire has been synonymous with undead bloodsuckers who vanish in a puff of smoke in the morning light (if not dazzle a little in the sunshine). — Mike McRae 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 These bloodsuckers can carry several potentially severe diseases, and shifting species ranges mean Lake County has a growing variety of ticks, said county Health Department Ecological Services Program Coordinator Alana Bartolai. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 The phrase has its own meaning within Anne Rice’s lush, grandiose world of bloodsuckers and spell-casters as interpreted by creator and showrunner Rolin Jones. — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026 As if dealing with fleas in your yard isn’t enough, these little bloodsuckers can infest your home, too. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2026 While Hollywood vampires—especially those in the Twilight series—have a devoted fan base, real-life bloodsuckers aren’t so adored. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026 On the opening night of their juke joint in 1930s Mississippi, they are beset by a small band of vampires, intent on turning everyone inside into bloodsuckers. — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 But while the New Zealander won a Golden Globe for her portrayal in 2009, Paquin broke out long before Sookie was slinging drinks and slaying bloodsuckers. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025 Oh, and a trio of baddie bloodsuckers from another coven are also interested in taking a bite. — Lincee Ray, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bloodsuckers
  1. parasites
  2. vampires
  3. predators
Noun
  • Caused by parasites spread via Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria can cause symptoms including nausea, headache and intense waves of fever and chills.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In mid-May, India’s chief justice made some comments comparing unemployed youth to cockroaches and parasites.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of parasites
Noun
  • Her superpower had nothing to do with vampires and everything to do with her staggering talent.
    — Judy Berman, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Bedbugs are sometimes called the vampires of the insect world — hiding during the day and coming out at night to feast on human blood.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of vampires
Noun
  • Dolphins are versatile predators that adjust their diet based on local prey availability, Callan said.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Unfortunately, there are a lot of examples of these predators and the way that the justice system can’t really provide peace for survivors of these things.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of predators

Browse Nearby Words

bloodsucker
bloodsuckers
bloodthirstiness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bloodsuckers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bloodsuckers. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All