as in requesting
to persuade someone to give you (something) for free
He spent his time trying to cadge drinks from the customers. She cadged money from her sister.
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Recent Examples of cadging
To her horrified astonishment, Miss Manners has received a number of letters reporting that guests are taking gross advantage of hospitality by cadging future meals.
—
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026
Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cadging
Verb
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The company filed a ticket a week before work began, requesting that gas lines be properly marked.—
Brian New,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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Yes, and this study was motivated again by increasing reports from our blood bank that people were calling and requesting blood from donors who specifically did not receive the Covid-19 vaccination.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
1 June 2026
Verb
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In a story this complicated, where everyone from a little girl to a grown man from Boston is begging for their humanity, even Howard Stevens deserves some, too.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
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Small steps were made, but dissatisfaction set in towards the end — and a golden chance went begging.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit also claims officers choked Day and slammed him against a wall, eventually coercing him into confessing to killing Irving and Garcia.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rooms vary in size and color palette but all offer soft rugs, silk throws, a neutral but warm color scheme with accent colors like purple, floral bouquets, and large beds just asking to be jumped on.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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Ahead of the 2024 election, the group drafted a memo asking whomever the incoming president was to mobilize federal agencies and welcoming presidential involvement in events and initiatives.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The case collides with President Javier Milei’s culture war, as his government dismantles gender-equality programs and questions femicide laws, while rights groups and families flood the streets demanding protection and justice.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
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This move was applauded by many in eating-disorder care, especially as increasingly demanding physical tasks can be supported by technology.—
Paula Chesley,
STAT,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Not to mention, critical jobs requiring a degree, like nurses and teachers, need the support of a workforce to best serve their communities.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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Data centers alone could consume 330,000–420,000 tons annually by 2030, with hyperscale AI facilities requiring tens of thousands of tons each for wiring, cooling, and power infrastructure.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
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On top of that, Nico is also, quite obviously, just mooching off/clinging to Mindy because he got cut off by his family.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Our beloved vegetable side dishes and fruit-forward desserts make up the very framework of our flavor memories, conjuring fond smiles with their bright colors and comforting flavors.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
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Nova Scotia has some of the most stunning viewpoints in Canada, but travelers are quick to think of places like Cape Breton Island or Lunenburg when conjuring up images of what makes the province so special.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cadging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cadging. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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