as in dwarves
a person of no importance or influence
the magazine's editor in chief was notorious for treating staffers as insects, often not even bothering to learn their names
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Recent Examples of insects
Pay attention to what kinds of insects are attending to them.
—
Malaka Gharib, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
The ongoing decline of birds signals a broader crisis in the natural world already documented in global losses in insects, amphibians, and other wildlife.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Honeydew is a sugary waste liquid produced by sap-feeding insects like aphids, certain scale insects, and planthoppers.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025
The exhibit will include over three dozen glass and steel sculptures of sparkling butterflies, dragonflies, bamboo, bees and insects.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
The flowers will attract butterflies and beneficial insects.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
Nearly all bird species feed their young insects, so planting native greenery that attracts bugs can be enticing to hummingbirds.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Calendula attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, but deer usually leave them alone.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
Sunflowers, which bloom from summer into fall, are also great for attracting pollinators, including butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, and beneficial insects.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
Malaka Gharib, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
The ongoing decline of birds signals a broader crisis in the natural world already documented in global losses in insects, amphibians, and other wildlife.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Honeydew is a sugary waste liquid produced by sap-feeding insects like aphids, certain scale insects, and planthoppers.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025
The exhibit will include over three dozen glass and steel sculptures of sparkling butterflies, dragonflies, bamboo, bees and insects.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
The flowers will attract butterflies and beneficial insects.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
Nearly all bird species feed their young insects, so planting native greenery that attracts bugs can be enticing to hummingbirds.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 13 Mar. 2025
Calendula attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects, but deer usually leave them alone.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
Sunflowers, which bloom from summer into fall, are also great for attracting pollinators, including butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, and beneficial insects.
—Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insects. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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