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Glite Dictionary
insectlike

insectlike

1 4.0
Having the look or movement of an insect
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈsɛktlaɪk/
: insectil
  • Under the microscope, the tiny organism appeared insectlike with its segmented body and numerous legs.

Examples

  • The design of the robot was insectlike, mimicking the swift movements and features of a dragonfly.

  • There was a scurry of feet and some breathless laughter, and suddenly two ghostly insectlike figures came clanging onto the landing.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • He craves the moment when the tumult will cease and the wilderness swallows up the swarming, insectlike horde.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The creature's movements were so insectlike that it reminded me of a grasshopper leaping across the ground.

Synonyms

insectoid
vsinsectlike
3 7.1

Looks like an insect with many legs and a hard body

is broader, covering movement and other characteristic similarities too
insectile
vsinsectlike
1 7.5

Having the look or movement of a bug

is the general term for similarity in appearance, movement, or traits
insectival
vsinsectlike
1 8.6

Relating to insects or their bodies and habits

focuses more on visual or movement similarity rather than general relation
insectan
vsinsectlike
  • Specialized
8.9

Relates to insects such as ants or bees

is about resembling insects rather than being scientifically related to them

How Insect-Like

insectoid
3 7.1
insectlike
1 4.0

Surface Forms

insectlike positive

Morphology

insectlike = insect (transparent) = insect + like

Formed by the productive suffix '-like' attached to the clear base 'insect' and directly means 'resembling an insect'.

Etymology

The word insectlike is made of insect and -like, so it literally means 'like an insect'. Think of a small bug with many body parts, shiny wings, or quick, jerky movement — that image explains why we call something insectlike.