as in exploiting
to take unfair advantage of
unscrupulous people trying to milk the welfare system for all it's worth
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Recent Examples of milking
Bribing officials, milking national economies, and cozying up to corrupt politicians and dictators have long been essential features of the enterprise.
—
Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Veyron production may have ended, but Bugatti is still milking the idea.
—New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2026
Four plays later, with just over two minutes left in the game, the Seahawks ran a pass play instead of just running the ball and milking the clock.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Cardozo added that all milking operations have ceased, and some beef and non-lactating dairy cattle are still grazing.
—Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Netflix milking the hype around its biggest show in new, previously unannounced ways?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
Haul a steaming cup outside where, milking fall weather, the Potholder is welcoming diners on its dog-friendly patio.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
There were multiple ways for Texas State to end the game, including milking the clock by running up all three downs and kicking a field goal.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 4 Oct. 2025
But even with Mizzou being able to do what it’s been doing — manhandling the trenches and milking the clock — the results were somewhat spoiled.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Veyron production may have ended, but Bugatti is still milking the idea.
—New Atlas, 6 Feb. 2026
Four plays later, with just over two minutes left in the game, the Seahawks ran a pass play instead of just running the ball and milking the clock.
—Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Cardozo added that all milking operations have ceased, and some beef and non-lactating dairy cattle are still grazing.
—Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
Netflix milking the hype around its biggest show in new, previously unannounced ways?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
Haul a steaming cup outside where, milking fall weather, the Potholder is welcoming diners on its dog-friendly patio.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
There were multiple ways for Texas State to end the game, including milking the clock by running up all three downs and kicking a field goal.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 4 Oct. 2025
But even with Mizzou being able to do what it’s been doing — manhandling the trenches and milking the clock — the results were somewhat spoiled.
—Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milking
Verb
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In this way, prediction markets are the perfect technology for a low-trust society, simultaneously exploiting and reifying an environment in which believing the motives behind any person or action becomes harder.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cohen was accused of exploiting his advisory and fiduciary relationships with these players.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When Carolyn finally walked through the doors at the back of the chapel and down the aisle, Reverend O’Byrne had to lead the pair through their vows using a flashlight.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2026
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This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor.—
Shelly Conlon,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now that Democrats have control and have adopted a similar playbook, Republicans accuse them of abusing their power.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
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Chloe Johnson, 25, was caught on camera abusing several infants at a day care in Blaine, Minnesota.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More broadly, scientists interested in leveraging heat for mental health have noticed a link to body temperature, specifically that people with depression tend to run hotter, according to a 2024 study of more than 20,000 adults.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
6 Mar. 2026
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This is a big departure and proof that Apple has really succeeded in leveraging its own ecosystem, with this traditional iPhone chip working across its operating systems.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s a rich commonality between him and Venus that could be explored here—who’s manipulating Rika more?—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
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Epstein offered to host Mandelson in a New York apartment in 2009, about five months before the two discussed by email manipulating then-British premier Gordon Brown to step down.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Milking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milking. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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