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
She’s gained a following on TikTok and elsewhere by spoofing very specific types of people—like an unpredictable roommate or a socially awkward hanger-on—in micro-format.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Which interpretation lands best with Subramanian will be made clear at Friday’s sentencing hearing — for which Combs, as well as various family members and hangers-on, will be in NYC’s Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
That’s a missed opportunity to be a legitimate hanger-on in the wild-card race.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Mike Appel led the session from behind the board, with the engineer Louis Lahav at his side and a scattering of staff, friends, and other hangers-on lurking here and there.
—Peter Ames Carlin, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
David Sims, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
Which interpretation lands best with Subramanian will be made clear at Friday’s sentencing hearing — for which Combs, as well as various family members and hangers-on, will be in NYC’s Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
That’s a missed opportunity to be a legitimate hanger-on in the wild-card race.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Mike Appel led the session from behind the board, with the engineer Louis Lahav at his side and a scattering of staff, friends, and other hangers-on lurking here and there.
—Peter Ames Carlin, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on
Noun
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Basically, the plant emits toxins that may help monarchs fend off the parasite, but something about heat disrupts this delicate balance.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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The challenges in killing a parasite Trying to kill an acanthamoeba while protecting the eye is complicated.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That aesthetic also reflects in the exquisite costumes by Olivier Bériot and Catherine Leterrier (in one scene, a henchman wears clothing featuring the same pattern as the elaborate wallpaper to camouflage).—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
11 Dec. 2025
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Also newly attached to Write to Kill are Simon Newton and Mike Wood, who will play henchmen.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Don't forget that sponges can also be placed on the top rack to remove bacteria and grime.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
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Apply the paste to the glass door using a sponge.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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