Synonyms of hanger-on

hanger-on

noun

ˈhaŋ-ər-ˌȯn 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• parasite
• henchman
• sponge
• leech
• sponger
• dependent
• freeloader
• free rider
• moocher
• bloodsucker
• sycophant
• lackey
• miser
• deadbeat
• idler
• toady
• satellite
• flunky
• stooge
• cheapskate
• skinflint
• yes-man
• piker
• tightwad
• scrooge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supporter
• benefactor
• philanthropist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hanger-on

Most of the remaining hangers-on were staging going-out-of-business sales. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

The book orbits around an art scandal that pulls in collectors, curators, philosophers and hangers-on. — CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

A number of presences, including Hunter Schafer‘s busybody assistant and Kaia Gerber’s entourage hanger-on, flit about on the periphery while the leads conversationally duke it out. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026

The world has gotten a glimpse of the fawning, skeezy shamelessness of his famous hangers-on, but not enough to criminally implicate them. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026