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 new ranch comes with a coffee-drinking porch (mandatory), but it is weathered, rustic and needs work.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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She was killed when Hoang and a group of friends went out drinking and decided to rob homes in the Port Arthur area, the agency said.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Beyond a few days with warmer temperatures, the real sign that spring has arrived is when my nose starts to run, my throat begins to itch, and my eyes are begging for eye drops every morning.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2026
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Over the next 24 hours, the complaint alleges, McElroy was at the mercy of jail staff members who failed to call 911 as other inmates beat their cell windows and tables, begging for help.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The cells use perovskite, a material known for absorbing sunlight efficiently at lower production costs than silicon.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
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Getting covers and shades for windows is another way to keep heat from absorbing into your home, the federal energy agency said.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
14 May 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 18 May. 2026.
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