sponges 1 of 2

plural of sponge
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sponges

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sponge
1
as in drinks
to take in (something liquid) through small openings the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in begs
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

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 sponges
Noun
Hang towels, bath mats, and washcloths, loofahs, or sponges to air-dry thoroughly after each use since damp towels can encourage mold growth. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 June 2026 Chris DeArmitt, president of the Plastics Research Council, says fibers act like sponges. Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026 Allow to sit 10-15 minutes Wipe and scrape the paste gently away with microfiber cloths, soft sponges, and a plastic or silicone scraper. Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026 Not all makeup sponges are created equal. Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026 The sculptures are made with a pH-neutral artificial reef compound that allows coral, sponges, and biomass to settle safely on them. Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026 Don't leave dirty dishes or damp dishcloths and sponges in the kitchen sink. Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponges
Noun
  • Most standard portable filters only catch parasites, so check that any filter is certified to NSF Standard 53 or 58 with a small enough pore size.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Most portable filters won’t catch viruses or bacteria, but one certified to NSF Standard 53 or 58 with a small enough pore size can remove parasites.
    Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Earlier this month, a Manhattan bar ran a promotion promising to comp customers’ drinks if the Knicks won the first game of the NBA Finals, per the New York Times.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
  • Additionally, the oil burner should get better fuel mileage than a small-block, and maybe even the TurboMax four-cylinder, as that thing drinks fuel when the turbo spools.
    Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Which begs a larger question, really.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
  • The family begs for a twilight cruise, but the battery is already tapped out.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • The lightning-fast process leeches out flavor and compromises textures, and can produce bland, mushy results.
    Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 June 2026
  • The fact is that leeches are relished by everything from walleyes and bass to trout and all the panfish.
    Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Let the incoming chief make a few visible calls while the outgoing leader still absorbs the heat.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Your body best absorbs water when it is taken in small amounts over time.
    Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sponges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponges. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on sponges

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster