1
as in begging
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 sneaking
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
as in wandering
to move about from place to place aimlessly
kids on vacation mooching about the house and looking for something to do
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mooching
On top of that, Nico is also, quite obviously, just mooching off/clinging to Mindy because he got cut off by his family.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mooching
Verb
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Best Amazon Spring Outlet Bag and Accessories Deals Amazon’s spring outlet is packed with hard-to-resist bags and accessories that are basically begging to land in my cart.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
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With their strong lines and solid structure, fences are just begging to be planted with vines and other climbing plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These irresistible, creamy purée treats are perfect for picky eaters, bonding moments and sneaking in hydration—cats can’t get enough of them.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Their parties became notorious even in my own cliques; my parents knew to expect at least a few dozen teenagers crashing their party, sucking down all the noodles, and sneaking beers in the canyon down below.—
Natasha Pickowicz,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Entrance is free, though a map will cost you about three pesos, so just show up and start wandering the mini walkways.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Think museums with marble floors, historic buildings, and hours spent wandering galleries.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Scientists tracking humpbacks off the coast of Australia have captured rare footage that shows clutches of the freeloading fish peeling away from their host in what looks like a high-speed game of chicken, just moments before the whale breaches.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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The specter of freeloading corporations using more space, water, and energy for AI processing has defined the race for the 30th House of Delegates district, well outside DC.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Neemias Queta made all three of his field goals in the opening quarter, including a nice turnaround hook shot over Jokic and a last-second alley-oop from Pritchard, whose penchant for buzzer-beaters likely drew Denver’s attention away from the lurking big man.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Though an occasional cellphone or refrigerator does make an appearance, Salvation takes place against an epic, timeless canvas, one filled with torchlit gatherings, solitary figures lurking in caves, and ghostly hallucinations.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The term mesteño, meaning stray or wild, became, in cowboy-speak, mustang — that legendary, free-roaming denizen of the high plains.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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Given the fact that more than 20 of her rapists are still roaming free, this fame may be double-edged.—
Gaby Wood,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since first taking place in the 1940s, cloud seeding experiments have raised concern over potential environmental and ecological risks and stoked regional security tensions, with countries accusing each other of stealing rain.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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On June 16, 1986, Langford was selling some of the last of her inventory when a crack addict named Melvin Trotter walked into Langford's Grocery Store and started stealing from the cash register.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In terms of broader wellness offerings, the property has complimentary bikes for cruising around the neighborhood, group meditation and sound bath sessions, morning yoga, and Sunday hikes to Tahquitz Canyon.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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These unique one-way sailings generally occur at the beginning or end of a cruising season (typically in the spring or fall) when ships need to return to their home ports.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mooching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mooching. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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