1
as in drinking
to take in (something liquid) through small openings
the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of sponging
In the collision of spice, sharpness and seedy crunch, and in the sponging way potatoes soak up butter, the intensity never seems like too much.
—
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
While the sponging industry has diminished over the years (largely because most modern-day consumers use artificial versions for dish scrubbing and housecleaning), there’s still a considerable market for the natural ones, especially in Europe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
While the sponging industry has diminished over the years (largely because most modern-day consumers use artificial versions for dish scrubbing and housecleaning), there’s still a considerable market for the natural ones, especially in Europe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponging
Verb
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The weather service suggests drinking plenty of fluids, staying indoors with air-conditioning and out of the sun, and checking up on relatives and neighbors.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
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The couple had been drinking at a Westlake Village cantina and were heading to Grossman’s home to watch a presidential debate.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Everyone loves the idea of packing cute sandals for a summer Europe trip, until they’re covered in blisters halfway through the day and begging to call a taxi.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
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When the chain filed for bankruptcy eight years later, fans tagged Beyoncé online, begging her to save it.—
Rita Omokha,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The weaker bonds are dispersed throughout the material as cross-links known as mechanophores, and upon a sudden strike, those mechanophores selectively snap at the impact site, absorbing the impact energy more effectively.—
Shirl Leigh
June 10,
New Atlas,
10 June 2026
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Also indicative of a dense shroud of gas were signs of fluorescence and helium-absorbing radiation.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Scientists tracking humpbacks off the coast of Australia have captured rare footage that shows clutches of the freeloading fish peeling away from their host in what looks like a high-speed game of chicken, just moments before the whale breaches.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Sponging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponging. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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