free rider

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for free rider
Noun
  • The United States is dropping about 100 million sterile flies each week in southern Mexico to help slow the spread of the parasite.
    Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 16 July 2025
  • Colton was also prescribed a parasite treatment due to diarrhea, the warrant affidavit said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • Social Security provides benefits to more than 74 million Americans, including retirees, veterans, and their dependents.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 19 July 2025
  • And the 1987 requirement that taxpayers supply Social Security numbers for dependent children resulted in a marked difference in the numbers of dependents claimed on returns—seven million fewer dependent children were claimed than in the previous year.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Spray the mixture onto your countertops and let the solution sit for 3-5 minutes before wiping it down with a soft sponge or cloth.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
  • These extended wait times alone could cause a child to miss out entirely on the benefits of intervention during the sponge years.
    Rachelle Rutherford, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • The showdown of General Zod and his henchmen also takes place at the Fortress, with a great twist to defeat them.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 11 July 2025
  • The mosasaur has henchman spinosaurs – a nice touch – while a titanosaurus couple shares a loving moment (which gets interrupted by some pesky humans).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 July 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.

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“Free rider.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20rider. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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