mooch

1
as in to beg
to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility he's always mooching off of his friends, even though he can easily pay his own way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to sneak
to move about in a sly or secret manner I suspect she's mooching around in the background and keeping an eye on us

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

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 mooch Her family wants to mooch off her success while also criticizing her success. Lydia Patrick, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 The exchange seemed to show real feelings and judgments — that the Europeans are mooching and that any American military action, no matter how clearly in American interests as well, should be somehow paid for by other beneficiaries. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 Not for Chelsea, obviously, whom he’s already once told to go find a richer boyfriend to mooch off. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025 Anyway, my friend and I were able to mooch a ride from him to that wonderful institution known as LAX, land of inconvenience, confusion, disdain and dirty bathrooms. Marla Jo Fisher, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mooch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mooch
Verb
  • As the stock hits its 5-year high, this begs the question of whether the shares are still worth buying.
    John Choong, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Which begs the question, how many breaches have there been, and have any other third-party contractors aside from TaskUs been compromised?
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Cane then sneaks up from behind and kills Grady’s men, freeing his father.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • Universal Studios Florida began its iteration of the attraction in 1990, SyFy noted, featuring, of course, a (mechanical) great white shark that snuck up on riders of the boat tour.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • So a guineafowl moving at a slow jog of 1 km/h (0.6 mph) – roughly the pace of a wandering toddler – through Alexander's formula would be estimated as 4.7 km/h (2.9 mph).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 June 2025
  • Guests are invited to wander the gardens, join sourdough baking classes, and basically geek out on where their food comes from.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • And again summer approaches and one must sift through all those spoiling invitations that inevitably come rolling in when one is an indolent (and impoverished) European aristocrat — who needs to freeload off the rich and hardworking.
    James Fallon, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
  • Minutes before Carney’s arrival, Trump set a contentious tone by accusing Canada of freeloading on trade and the nations’ geopolitical alliance.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • But in the background still lurk the conditions and trends that has spurred allocators away from the USD.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 18 June 2025
  • Also lurking just behind the leader is Norwegian golfer Viktor Hovland at one under par.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • In the Basque region of Spain, Rosenthal roams through the culinary capital of San Sebastián, devouring pintxos, impressive seafood and Txakoli wine.
    Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • Starting Wednesday, the driverless taxis will roam more than 120 square miles of Los Angeles County, stretching from Santa Monica to downtown and from West Hollywood to Inglewood.
    Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The group later stole Samsung electronics valued at $14,081, authorities alleged.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 21 June 2025
  • And like the most recent case out of Iowa, stealing someone else’s flag to burn could also be criminal, the organization said.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Barkov strolled onto the rebound with the nearest Oiler completely unescorted.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
  • The surrounding streets are a pleasure to stroll, particularly the wide Corso Italia, where families gather around benches under the trees and couples peruse the boutiques’ window displays.
    Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mooch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mooch. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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