free rider

noun

Definition of free ridernext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of free rider Fruit, ginger shots, sea moss beverages, tea, and water were on hand, in alignment with her alcohol-free rider and commitment to sobriety. — Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free rider
  1. parasite
  2. dependent
  3. sponge
  4. henchman
Noun
  • The Cockroach movement began as an online satirical campaign this summer after India’s chief justice compared unemployed young people to parasites.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • If the diagnosis is correct, the parasite could result in more deaths.
    — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of parasite
Noun
  • The woman was not named in the statement, has been charged with neglect of a dependent.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Going to college doesn’t necessarily mean a student is no longer your dependent.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of dependent
Noun
  • Meanwhile, some of the same areas that are closed to bottom trawling for the protection of coral, sponges, crab and other marine life are open to pelagic trawlers.
    — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The ground will likely absorb that amount of rain like a sponge.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of sponge
Noun
  • Crosby can… um… provide funny reaction shots when henchmen get killed!
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That may prove a moot point as Zelda was later seen giving her henchman, who had located the sisters, instructions to go as high as needed to secure their shares.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of henchman

Browse Nearby Words

freemen
free rider
free riders
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Cite this Entry

“Free rider.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20rider. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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