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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sponges
Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Kitchen sponges trap food particles and bacteria.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
The species discovered include ancient relatives of worms, sponges and jellyfish.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
What Lived 512 Million Years Ago The species discovered include ancient relatives of worms, sponges and jellyfish.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
Not to mention the sponges, soaps, and other items cluttering up the sink area.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
The key to the invention is Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)—synthetic, porous materials that act like advanced sponges.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
Towels and Sponges Storing towels and sponges near the sink also makes a lot of sense in theory, but keeping them under the sink can lead to mold and mildew issues.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.
—Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Glass sponges build intricate, mesh-like skeletons out of silica — the same material used to make glass.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Kitchen sponges trap food particles and bacteria.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
The species discovered include ancient relatives of worms, sponges and jellyfish.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
What Lived 512 Million Years Ago The species discovered include ancient relatives of worms, sponges and jellyfish.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2026
Not to mention the sponges, soaps, and other items cluttering up the sink area.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
The key to the invention is Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)—synthetic, porous materials that act like advanced sponges.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026
Towels and Sponges Storing towels and sponges near the sink also makes a lot of sense in theory, but keeping them under the sink can lead to mold and mildew issues.
—Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.
—Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponges
Noun
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Crustaceans are nibblers of plants, scavengers of carrion, and parasites of larger animals.—
Andrew Coletti,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
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Further, co-author Thomas Wierzba, a professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest School of Medicine, explains that ETVAX reduced moderate-to-severe diarrhea from viruses, bacteria or other parasites by 21 percent.—
Sahas Mehra,
Scientific American,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Austin nightclub Cheer Up Charlies, a 15-year-old queer- and women-owned venue downtown, has made a name for itself for more than its musical lineup and drinks selection.—
Julianna Duennes Russ,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
-
With just burgers, fries, shakes, and drinks on the menu, everything is made fresh and sourced locally.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That, too, begs a certain allowance.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
-
In the wake of Princess Diana's death in 1997, the queen tends to affairs privately yet butts heads with Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen), who begs her to address the nation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Dysmenorrhea might be treated by placing leeches on the abdomen to increase blood loss.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
-
In an effort to save Cathy, doctors place leeches over her body in hopes of removing the bad blood.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Absorption Issues High magnesium doses can affect how well your body absorbs other medications.—
Kirstyn Hill,
Health,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The calorie count listed on David protein bars, Rahal added, is based on a calculation of just the calories the body absorbs.—
Natalie Bennett,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sponges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponges. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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