Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun leech

2 senses of leech

Sense 1
leech, bloodsucker, hirudinean -- (carnivorous or bloodsucking aquatic or terrestrial worms typically having a sucker at each end)
       => annelid, annelid worm, segmented worm -- (worms with cylindrical bodies segmented both internally and externally)

Sense 2
leech, parasite, sponge, sponger -- (a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage)
       => follower -- (a person who accepts the leadership of another)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb leech

1 sense of leech

Sense 1
bleed, leech, phlebotomize, phlebotomise -- (draw blood; "In the old days, doctors routinely bled patients as part of the treatment")
       => treat, care for -- (provide treatment for; "The doctor treated my broken leg"; "The nurses cared for the bomb victims"; "The patient must be treated right away or she will die"; "Treat the infection with antibiotics")