parasitic

This term carries a strong biological foundation of dependency and harm. It describes a relationship where one party thrives specifically by draining the resources of a host, creating a zero-sum dynamic where the host is weakened as the parasite grows stronger. When applied to human behavior, it is highly pejorative. It suggests a level of predatory laziness or exploitation that goes beyond simple dependency, implying a conscious or systemic leaching of emotional, financial, or social energy from another person.