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Glite Dictionary
insectlike

insectlike

4.0
Having the look or movement of an insect
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈsɛktlaɪk/
translation icon : 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
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
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.