1. to live on or in another organism as a parasite
Usage: biology
2. to exploit or take advantage of someone or something
Usage: figurative

Examples

• Fleas parasitize dogs and cats by feeding on their blood.
• The wasp larvae parasitize caterpillars during their development.
• Mistletoe parasitizes oak trees by drawing nutrients from their branches.
• Some bacteria parasitize larger organisms to survive.
• The company was accused of parasitizing smaller businesses.
• He tends to parasitize his friends’ generosity without giving back.