as in hijackers
one who hitchhikes
picked up some hitchhikers whose car had broken down
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Recent Examples of hitchhikers
Given how unhappy many people are with 2026, a trip headed exactly 50 years back into the past will be a welcome ride for a lot of hitchhikers.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
These stealthy insects are expert hitchhikers.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Groves primarily targeted vulnerable women between 1978 and 1988, and was known to victimize hitchhikers.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025
Those who suspect their holly may have unwanted hitchhikers can contact the agency online or by calling the state's invasive species hotline at (866) 663-9684.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025
So while some viruses become activated when exposed to the right compounds produced in the gut from external triggers like medications, these dormant phages have simply evolved to become genetic hitchhikers inside bacteria.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025
The string of killings began on May 7, 1972, when Kemper picked up two female hitchhikers, 19-year-old Fresno State students Mary Ann Pesce and Anita Luchessa.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Weeds are the hitchhikers of the plant world.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2025
Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
These stealthy insects are expert hitchhikers.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Groves primarily targeted vulnerable women between 1978 and 1988, and was known to victimize hitchhikers.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025
Those who suspect their holly may have unwanted hitchhikers can contact the agency online or by calling the state's invasive species hotline at (866) 663-9684.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025
So while some viruses become activated when exposed to the right compounds produced in the gut from external triggers like medications, these dormant phages have simply evolved to become genetic hitchhikers inside bacteria.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers.
—Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025
The string of killings began on May 7, 1972, when Kemper picked up two female hitchhikers, 19-year-old Fresno State students Mary Ann Pesce and Anita Luchessa.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Weeds are the hitchhikers of the plant world.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hitchhikers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hitchhikers. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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