leechlike

/ˈlitʃˌlaɪk/
adjective
  1. Behaving like a leech; clinging to someone or something in order to get money, attention, or other benefits without giving anything in return.
    • Her leechlike cousin moved in and never offered to pay for anything.
    • He had a leechlike habit of always showing up at parties where free food was served.
    • The company had a leechlike dependence on government subsidies instead of innovating.
  2. Physically resembling or clinging like a leech; very tightly attached or difficult to remove.
    • A leechlike parasite attached itself to the fish's gills.
    • The leechlike grip of the vine made it nearly impossible to pull off the wall.
    • The child held onto her mother's arm with a leechlike tenacity.
What does "leechlike" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean