sponge 1 of 2

as in parasite
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sponge

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to absorb
to take in (something liquid) through small openings the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to beg
to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility she's been sponging off of her friends while she tries to land an entry-level job on Wall Street

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sponge differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sponge are leech, parasite, sycophant, and toady. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

When might leech be a better fit than sponge?

The words leech and sponge are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

When can parasite be used instead of sponge?

The meanings of parasite and sponge largely overlap; however, parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

When would sycophant be a good substitute for sponge?

The synonyms sycophant and sponge are sometimes interchangeable, but sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

In what contexts can toady take the place of sponge?

In some situations, the words toady and sponge are roughly equivalent. However, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

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 sponge
Noun
And then, the clean station has its own six-stage filtration system (main cycle, mess filter, single cyclone, coarse sponge, fine sponge, and HEPA 13 filter). Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025 June 11: Police fired 28 rounds of kinetic munition from a 12-gauge shotgun and 42 sponge rounds from a Direct Impact 40 mm. June 14: Police shot 45 sponge rounds from a Direct Impact 40 mm and 12 kinetic munition rounds from a 12-gauge shotgun. Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Make sure to scrub the sink faucet, handles, and any other metal fixtures with a soft brush or sponge to remove any buildup or stains. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025 For those who prefer a quirky twist on scares, Spirit Halloween is also offering the Creepy Clown Scrub Mommy sponge this season. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sponge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponge
Noun
  • While freezing can also kill the parasite, freezing and then warming the milk for a long time for fermentation could cause foodborne pathogens to arise, according to the study.
    Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Live ants carry the risk of parasites, while freezing or dehydrating the insects can unintentionally allow harmful bacteria to flourish.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • By binding to cholesterol in the small intestine, cholesterol is not absorbed into the bloodstream and is instead excreted from the body.
    Jennifer Moll, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Shutdowns can delay contracts, squeeze liquidity, and reveal how unprepared many companies are to absorb shocks, Gainer said.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Guerrero kept waving, begging for a challenge to erase the mistake.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • In a throwback to the warts-and-all silliness of the family’s legendary MTV reality show, The Osbournes, Coming Home appears to lean into the domestic comedy of the Osbourne clan, opening with a jittery Ozzy begging Sharon to stop driving in a herky-jerky manner.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Plus, Howl at the Moon will offer Swiftie sips, such as the Lucky One Miss Peaches Seltzer, Through the Orange Door jello shots, a TS12 shot, and That’s Showbiz cocktails and drink buckets.
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The Loveland resident had just completed a school drop-off and was bringing a Caramel Dutch Bros drink home to his wife.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sponge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponge. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sponge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!