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
Relevance
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 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
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
-
The knowledge that my life only matters as a body for labor feeds on my heart like a parasite.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
-
The analysis also unveiled other species of bacteria and a parasite which had all previously been unknown to science.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Before her family arrives, Bree tries to shoot Grady, but once Grady’s henchman captures Diller, she’s forced to make a choice: drop the gun or watch her son die.—
Keith Langston,
People.com,
21 June 2025
-
In a moment of sly genius, Duke gained entry by concealing himself as one of Lyle’s ghostly henchmen using a rubber band and a piece of white tissue as his disguise.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share