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
As a spectator, a musician, a hanger-on.
—
Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024
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
Hackett, his bungalow neighbor Faye Greener (Karen Black), her vaudevillian has-been father (Burgess Meredith), assorted whores, hangers-on, venal studio executives, and a WASPy lunk — auspiciously named Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland) — suckered by Hollywood’s erotic promise.
—Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
Matthew becomes Oliver’s bro, his hanger-on, his social-media camera buddy.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 1 Dec. 2024
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
Hackett, his bungalow neighbor Faye Greener (Karen Black), her vaudevillian has-been father (Burgess Meredith), assorted whores, hangers-on, venal studio executives, and a WASPy lunk — auspiciously named Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland) — suckered by Hollywood’s erotic promise.
—Armond White, National Review, 31 Jan. 2025
Matthew becomes Oliver’s bro, his hanger-on, his social-media camera buddy.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on
Noun
-
In exchange, the fish will help the mussel get rid of parasites.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The parasite, named Sirenobethylus charybdis after the seawater-swallowing monster from Greek mythology, may represent a whole new family of insects.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Galactic Emperor’s top henchman and the freedom fighter Luke Skywalker were related?—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
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Their explosive investigation gets even more dangerous as Mike and Marcus must protect murder witness Julie (Téa Leoni) from a French drug kingpin and his deadly henchmen after surviving a shoot-out.—
Rendy Jones,
EW.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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