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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Recent Examples of hanger-on
In what qualifies as high concept by Madea-movie standards, the character is transplanted to a resort in the Bahamas along with her family and the usual hangers-on.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 14 July 2025
His attorneys portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then recast the encounters as crimes years later to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
There is a reason so many Florida university and college presidents are these days being recruited from the ranks of politicians and political hangers-on.
—Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
Brought audiences a unique view of the hangers-on around big stars and unleashed the immortal character of agent Ari Gold played by Jeremy Piven.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 14 July 2025
His attorneys portrayed his accusers as Hollywood wannabes and hangers-on who willingly hooked up with him to court opportunity, then recast the encounters as crimes years later to collect settlement funds and #MeToo approbation.
—Jennifer Peltz, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
There is a reason so many Florida university and college presidents are these days being recruited from the ranks of politicians and political hangers-on.
—Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
Brought audiences a unique view of the hangers-on around big stars and unleashed the immortal character of agent Ari Gold played by Jeremy Piven.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on
Noun
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While freezing can also kill the parasite, freezing and then warming the milk for a long time for fermentation could cause foodborne pathogens to arise, according to the study.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Live ants carry the risk of parasites, while freezing or dehydrating the insects can unintentionally allow harmful bacteria to flourish.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Over eight episodes, the brothers find themselves at the mercy of Mancuso — a former family friend — and his vicious henchmen, and they are forced to confront the emotional scars of growing up with an alcoholic father, who had gambled away his own restaurant.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Sep. 2025
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In broad daylight, a presidential henchman openly threatened to inflict financial pain in retribution for speech the leader doesn't like.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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