as in parasites
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sponges
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Soak sponges and dishcloths in a solution of 1/4 cup bleach and a gallon of water daily for 5 minutes to keep them clean and germ-free.
—Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
Biodegradable sponges are a great option for adding to your compost pile.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
And for less studied organisms, such as sea sponges, that timeline can be even longer.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 24 May 2026
Dedicated studio spaces were created within the facility so Kongo could paint interior components by hand with airbrushes, brushes, and sponges.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
Besides cleaning, sponges are a useful, inexpensive tool in the garden, closet, craft area, and beyond.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 June 2026
Soak sponges and dishcloths in a solution of 1/4 cup bleach and a gallon of water daily for 5 minutes to keep them clean and germ-free.
—Emerson Latham, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 May 2026
Biodegradable sponges are a great option for adding to your compost pile.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
And for less studied organisms, such as sea sponges, that timeline can be even longer.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 24 May 2026
Dedicated studio spaces were created within the facility so Kongo could paint interior components by hand with airbrushes, brushes, and sponges.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponges
Noun
-
The parasites prefer humid areas where temperatures are at least 77 F (25 C), and those days are increasing further north.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
-
Many arrived underweight, with skin issues, extensive fur loss (suspected to be from being exposed to the weather and outdoor elements) and significant external and internal parasites.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Wyck is obviously Widow’s Bay’s Quint, the veteran sea salt who takes no guff, drinks too much, and selflessly puts his life on the line.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
-
Yoon’s a lightweight, but his wife drinks like a pro.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
However, that’s not the case for supporting categories, which begs the question — why?—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
-
His preseason is, more than likely, done which begs the question.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The ancestors of leeches were unlikely to have sucked blood.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
23 Nov. 2025
-
The horror film takes the world of elite sports to disturbing new extremes, filled with brutal ambition, blood-sucking leeches, and hard-hitting serves.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zinc might reduce how much penicillamine the body absorbs.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Asphalt normally absorbs ~90% of solar radiation, but a thin light-colored coating (only ~100 µm thick) can reflect ~40% of that energy.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sponges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponges. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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