bloodsucker

[ bluhd-suhk-er ]

noun

1. any animal that sucks blood, especially a leech.
2. an extortioner or usurer.
3. sponger ( def 2 ).

bloodsucker

/ ˈblʌdˌsʌkə /

noun

1. an animal that sucks blood, esp a leech or mosquito
2. a person or thing that preys upon another person, esp by extorting money

Derived Forms

• ˈbloodˌsucking, adjective

Other Words From

• bloodsucking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bloodsucker¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; blood, sucker

Example Sentences

Claire Rusch studies these bloodsuckers at the University of Washington in Seattle.

From Science News For Students

A recent study published in the journal PLoS Biology found that on foraging trips away from home, these bloodsuckers tend to meet up with roost mates they share close bonds with.

From Popular-Science

Maoist slogans decrying them as “capitalist bloodsuckers” have begun reappearing on social media.

From Time

Another user called it “ironic” that another popular Weibo search term was Pinduoduo founder Colin Huang’s net worth and added, “capitalists are bloodsuckers.”

From Fortune

Bacteria that are potentially deadly to the bloodsuckers live on human skin.

From Science News