1
as in drinking
to take in (something liquid) through small openings
the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in begging
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponging
Verb
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To manage your thirst, try limiting your salt intake, drinking enough water throughout the day, and regulating your bedroom temperature.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
23 Oct. 2025 -
Then last year, Tuco started drinking more water than usual.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That deal is begging to be traded.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
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Recreate Witherspoon’s rich monochromatic look with these burgundy pants that are practically begging to be worn during holiday gatherings.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Overwater your money tree, and its roots will drown and rot because sodden soil prevents the roots from absorbing oxygen and nutrients from the soil.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Oct. 2025
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Small vendors are forced to choose between raising prices and losing clients, absorbing the expenses (killing margins), or purchasing more inventory prior to tariff rises (tying up capital).—
Vitalii Savryha,
Sourcing Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The specter of freeloading corporations using more space, water, and energy for AI processing has defined the race for the 30th House of Delegates district, well outside DC.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Sponging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponging. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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