hanger-on
noun
hang·er-on
ˈhaŋ-ər-ˌȯn 
-ˌän
plural hangers-on
: one that hangs around a person, place, or institution especially for personal gain
Examples of hanger-on in a Sentence
almost overnight, the singer was a star, and almost overnight, he was surrounded by hangers-on who wanted something
Recent Examples on the Web
The ultimate goal, then, seems to be nothing less than the complete supplanting of MAGA with a new political movement—an angry, ultra-conspiratorial, unbiblical, neo-pagan movement of misfits and their hangers-on.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
She’s gained a following on TikTok and elsewhere by spoofing very specific types of people—like an unpredictable roommate or a socially awkward hanger-on—in micro-format.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Which interpretation lands best with Subramanian will be made clear at Friday’s sentencing hearing — for which Combs, as well as various family members and hangers-on, will be in NYC’s Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
That’s a missed opportunity to be a legitimate hanger-on in the wild-card race.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
She’s gained a following on TikTok and elsewhere by spoofing very specific types of people—like an unpredictable roommate or a socially awkward hanger-on—in micro-format.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Which interpretation lands best with Subramanian will be made clear at Friday’s sentencing hearing — for which Combs, as well as various family members and hangers-on, will be in NYC’s Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
That’s a missed opportunity to be a legitimate hanger-on in the wild-card race.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hanger-on. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share