as in parasite
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return almost overnight, the singer was a star, and almost overnight, he was surrounded by hangers-on who wanted something

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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 hanger-on In the first half of Hurry Up Tomorrow, Tesfaye worries about his ever-weakening voice amid a relentless tour cycle where he’s tormented and inundated with partying hangers-on and lewd friend turned manager Lee (Barry Keoghan). Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 May 2025 The Wild Card is mind-numbing showcase of boxing photos, sweat, noise and hangers-on. Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025 In a government that is already owned and operated by far-right cranks and hangers-on, Bongino can only do so much damage on his own. Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 Matthew is a classic hanger-on, whose own identity is mutable, molding himself to whoever is around him and shining their light on him. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on
Noun
  • Eating prey can be dangerous for cats, especially mice, which can carry disease, parasites and even poison.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
  • Food poisoning can be caused by viruses or parasites, but the most common culprits are bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Listeria and Clostridium—often found on or inside animals.
    Amanda Heidt, Scientific American, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • Malaparte, by then, was making his name as one of Mussolini’s highbrow henchmen.
    Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 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

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“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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