as in parasite
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return
During their fundraising campaign, the public radio station encouraged listeners not to be free riders.
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Recent Examples of free rider
Fruit, ginger shots, sea moss beverages, tea, and water were on hand, in alignment with her alcohol-free rider and commitment to sobriety.
—
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free rider
Noun
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These parasites reveal what sanitation, disease burden, and population health were really like in this region of the Roman Empire, known for its ingenuity and innovation, but sometimes, public health might not be up to par.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
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They’re neutered, up to date on vaccines and microchipped, and they have been treated for parasites and fleas.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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On April 3, Reichard-Hayes and Carter were arrested on charges of murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and neglect of a dependent.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
7 Apr. 2026
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Lawmakers say the funding ensures the 460,000 public employees, retirees and dependents who access health care through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) face no interruptions to their coverage.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And for dessert, a grand opera cake, which the program describes as having espresso cream, almond sponge and buttercream chocolate ganache.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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Four straw brushes, a sponge brush and a nylon brush designed for especially tricky beer and wine bottles differentiate this kit from competing sets.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Key witnesses in the government’s case included Spann’s top henchmen, who cooperated with prosecutors in hopes for leniency.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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This is potentially disastrous, given that Josh is now in the custody of the chairwoman’s henchmen.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free rider.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20rider. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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