parasitical

/ˌpɛrəˈsɪtɪkəl/
adjective
  1. Relating to or characteristic of a parasite; living off another organism and causing harm.
    • The doctor explained how the parasitical infection spreads through contaminated water.
    • The parasitical fungus slowly drained the tree of its nutrients.
    • Some insects have a parasitical relationship with certain plants, laying eggs inside them.
  2. Describing a person or group that depends on others for support without giving anything in return, often in a negative way.
    • The company's parasitical practices involved taking credit for work done by smaller partners.
    • He was tired of his parasitical friends who only called when they needed money.
    • Critics accused the wealthy landlord of having a parasitical attitude toward the community.
What does "parasitical" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean