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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Recent Examples of sponges
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Friends, and scalpels, were enlisted to cut out maple, oak, and other specimens from sponges.
—Elizabeth Kiefer, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025
Children are like sponges, according to Taren Coley, MD, psychiatrist and the Director of Child & Adolescent Services at Hopeway, constantly taking in the world around them.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
Makeup sponges, on the other hand, hold bacteria, Frankel pointed out.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Plants act like sponges, Martineau explained.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Back then, MOFs felt like magical sponges, and that sense of wonder never left me.
—Stavroula Alina Kampouri, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
These rare steroids were linked to ancient sponges, but the findings sparked debate, with some suggesting alternative origins, including non-biological processes.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
One of the main reasons for the vast difference is that toilets are made of non-porous material, whereas sponges are highly porous and inviting for germs.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
Medications, sponges, and cosmetics can all become safety issues if used beyond their lifespan.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Friends, and scalpels, were enlisted to cut out maple, oak, and other specimens from sponges.
—Elizabeth Kiefer, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025
Children are like sponges, according to Taren Coley, MD, psychiatrist and the Director of Child & Adolescent Services at Hopeway, constantly taking in the world around them.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 30 Oct. 2025
Makeup sponges, on the other hand, hold bacteria, Frankel pointed out.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Plants act like sponges, Martineau explained.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Back then, MOFs felt like magical sponges, and that sense of wonder never left me.
—Stavroula Alina Kampouri, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
These rare steroids were linked to ancient sponges, but the findings sparked debate, with some suggesting alternative origins, including non-biological processes.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
One of the main reasons for the vast difference is that toilets are made of non-porous material, whereas sponges are highly porous and inviting for germs.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponges
Noun
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Extreme temperatures, parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria are all common dangers.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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While striped skunk is edible, Coalition Brewing warns against its strong odor, scavenger diet and susceptibility to parasites.—
Stuart Dyos,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then, in the final moments of Season 3 finale, Ginny recognizes a pregnancy quirk in her mother, who drinks milk straight out of the carton.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
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Use your fresh mint in all kinds of recipes, such as watermelon salad, pesto, drinks like cocktails, tea, and lemonade, or a flavorful leg of lamb.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Victor quickly apologizes for his past cruelty and begs the Creature for his forgiveness in the film’s final few moments.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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That begs the question of whether the Rockets need to upgrade at point guard, given their championship expectations.—
Ricardo Sandoval,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Those who predicted a doomed future for all of humanity called us addicts and criminals, leeches and slime (and way worse things) because we were detested, shouted at, dragged by our arms across bedrooms and public sporting events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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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
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This compound may affect how your body absorbs minerals like iron and zinc.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
5 Nov. 2025
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While spinach is often praised for its iron content, meat may be a more effective way to boost your levels because your body absorbs it more efficiently.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sponges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponges. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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