Synonyms of hangers-on

hangers-on

noun

plural of hanger-on

as in parasites

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

• parasites
• henchmen
• sponges
• leeches
• freeloaders
• dependents
• spongers
• moochers
• free riders
• bloodsuckers
• sycophants
• idlers
• lackeys
• misers
• toadies
• deadbeats
• yes-men
• satellites
• flunkies
• stooges
• cheapskates
• skinflints
• pikers
• tightwads
• scrooges

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supporters
• benefactors
• philanthropists

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hangers-on

In late August, the hotel turns into a red-carpet event for celebrities, stars of the silver screen, and various hangers-on at the Venice Film Festival to which the Excelsior is inexorably linked, now enjoying its 10th decade. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

The twisted tale involves a cadre of rappers and hangers-on, shootings in separate states, two deaths and various acts of betrayal. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Next week’s trade deadline, in theory, should shake off a few hangers-on. — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Iyanla Vanzant, the program’s host, chided Holmes for squandering much of her fortune, buying properties and paying allowances to hangers-on. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Decades after Julian’s vanishing there, the band and various hangers-on recall eerie incidents both in and out of the house—rooms full of occult literature; pub full of haunting photographs—as well as the glimmering stranger circling the Orpheus-esque Julian. — Literary Hub, 2 June 2026

Tiny hangers-on are tucked into pockets and cavort in crevices. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026

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