blood-sucking
Feeding on veins
Blood-sucking describes creatures that feed on blood—mosquitoes, leeches, vampire bats.
The term extends figuratively to people or institutions that drain others of money, energy, or resources: blood-sucking lawyers, blood-sucking corporations.
The figurative use is always contemptuous, suggesting parasitic exploitation.
Exploiting the vulnerable
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- usuriousCharging excessive interest
- extortionateUnreasonably high in cost
- profiteeringExploiting scarcity for gain
rapacious · greedy · shark · vulture · extractive · mercenary · opportunistic · cutthroat
Blood-feeding aquatic worm
- tickParasitic eight-legged pest
- fleaBlood-drinking jumping pest
- bedbugBlood-sucking mattress dweller
- mosquitoBlood-feeding flying pest
lamprey · mite · louse · ectoparasite · host · infestation · attachment · feeding
Sharp piercing teeth
- DraculaLegendary Transylvanian vampire
- undeadDeceased yet animate
- Nosferatu1922 German vampire film
- coffinBurial container for remains
stake · garlic · bat · Transylvania · immortal · nightwalker · crypt · holy water
Depleting one's stamina
- sappingGradually draining vitality
- depletingProgressively using up
- enervatingCausing loss of vigor
- debilitatingCausing severe impairment
weakening · consuming · withering · parasitical · relentless · insatiable · voracious
predatory
Exploiting the vulnerable
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- usuriousCharging excessive interest
- extortionateUnreasonably high in cost
profiteering · rapacious · greedy · shark · vulture · extractive · mercenary · opportunistic · cutthroat · swindling
leech
Blood-feeding aquatic worm
mosquito · lamprey · mite · louse · ectoparasite · host · infestation · attachment · feeding · engorged
fangs
Sharp piercing teeth
coffin · stake · garlic · bat · Transylvania · immortal · nightwalker · crypt · holy water · pallor
exhausting
Depleting one's stamina
- sappingGradually draining vitality
- depletingProgressively using up
- enervatingCausing loss of vigor
debilitating · weakening · consuming · withering · parasitical · relentless · insatiable · voracious
blood-suckingherbivorous
Consuming only plants
vegetarian · nectar-feeding · non-parasitic · seed-eating · filter-feeding
blood-suckingsymbiotic
Mutually dependent relationship
mutualistic · nurturing · life-giving · nourishing · beneficial
blood-suckingaltruistic
Concerned for others' welfare
generous · charitable · benevolent · giving · philanthropic