Synonyms of sponges

sponges 1 of 2

noun

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

• parasites
• leeches
• spongers
• dependents
• henchmen
• freeloaders
• hangers-on
• free riders
• moochers
• bloodsuckers
• misers
• idlers
• satellites
• deadbeats
• toadies
• sycophants
• lackeys
• stooges
• yes-men
• skinflints
• tightwads
• pikers
• cheapskates
• flunkies
• scrooges

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• supporters
• benefactors
• philanthropists

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

• drinks
• absorbs
• swallows
• soaks (up)
• imbibes
• sips
• sucks (up)
• takes up
• gulps
• slurps
• quaffs
• swills
• swigs
• guzzles

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

• begs
• leeches
• freeloads
• mooches
• uses
• exploits

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sponges

Noun

Spicules are tiny needle-like structures derived from silica-rich marine sponges, corals or plants, or made synthetically, that create microscopic channels in the skin to help deliver active ingredients more deeply. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 July 2026

Spicules are microscopic, needle-like structures — sourced from marine sponges, silica-rich corals, certain plants or synthesized in a lab — suspended in serums and creams. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026

What Not To Use Abrasive Sponges Avoid scrubbing the microwave’s interior with rough materials like steel wool or abrasive sponges. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 July 2026

Fossil hunters will have fun here when the tide is out and sea sponges and urchins are visible. — Lila Harron Battis, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026

The lowest score came from The Guardian, which handed it two stars out of five, while Giant Bomb landed positive overall with a complaint that the boss fights lean on damage sponges more than puzzles. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Those other structures are covered in soft, bendy corals, sponges, marine plants and algae. — Alex Harris july 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

People who manage such rises are typically intellectual sponges, hoovering up knowledge to make up ground on more privileged classmates. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026

But in recent years, attention has shifted to less obvious sources of germs like reusable water bottles, kitchen sponges, cell phones and makeup brushes. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 July 2026