freeload

verb

free·​load ˈfrē-ˌlōd How to pronounce freeload (audio)
freeloaded; freeloading; freeloads

intransitive verb

: to impose upon another's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility involved : sponge
freeloader noun

Examples of freeload in a Sentence

after college, he freeloaded off his parents for several years before finally moving out
Recent Examples on the Web But if freeloading fish are hovering around, looking to benefit from the hunt without contributing, the octopus punches them away, according to new research. Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Sep. 2024 And the fish—usually different kinds of goatfish—were freeloading. Ari Daniel, NPR, 23 Sep. 2024 Trump thinks other nations are taking advantage of the U.S. — that too many allies are freeloading off American military might and not spending enough on their own armed forces. Vaughn Hillyard, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2024 Otherwise, imposing the planning and cost burden on the Secret Service is just a way for a campaign to freeload off taxpayers. Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for freeload 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freeload.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of freeload was in 1940

Dictionary Entries Near freeload

Cite this Entry

“Freeload.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeload. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

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