dependents

Definition of dependentsnext
plural of dependent

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dependents
Noun
  • Many of the other dogs showed signs consistent with long-term outdoor neglect, including parasites, dental issues, and untreated medical conditions such as Giardia, fleas, and ticks.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
  • People can get parasites in ways including spending time in areas with them, from contaminated food or water, or from bug bites.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Campillo objected to that rationale, contending residents of nearby cities shouldn’t be treated the same as tourists or characterized as rich freeloaders for visiting Balboa Park as non-residents of San Diego.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Remember how in 2023 when swarms of these surly, entitled freeloaders suddenly materialized – in Terminal E, of all places.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The team selected specific animal spirits – deer, buffalo, leeches, fleas, ants, and softshell turtles – which Setyanto translated into movement.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Even in modern medicine, the practice isn’t obsolete; doctors sometimes apply live leeches after reconstructive surgery to keep blood from clotting in flaps of tissue.
    Blair Braverman, Outside, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • No pop artist has ever survived haters, handlers and hangers-on without a scratch.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Meynecke said his footage suggested the whales found their hangers-on annoying.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Dirty sponges, towels, and dishes are the most common gross kitchen items.
    Nishaa Sharma, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Consider other products that complement the shower steamer experience, like shower gels, lotions and loofah sponges, in your gift set too.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • And yet neither Congress nor the sycophants in the White House seem willing to stop him.
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Laws mean nothing to Trump or his administration of sycophants.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Kelly’s lackeys dropped off meals, often delivered with a specific code knock on the door.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Government institutions run by lackeys are also more easily manipulated by autocratic leaders, and no longer serve the public interest.
    Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Ben, flanked by his henchmen, was seen as formidable and dangerous.
    Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Also newly attached to Write to Kill are Simon Newton and Mike Wood, who will play henchmen.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2025
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dependents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dependents. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on dependents

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!