as in parasite
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return
almost overnight, the singer was a star, and almost overnight, he was surrounded by hangers-on who wanted something
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Recent Examples of hanger-on
Brought audiences a unique view of the hangers-on around big stars and unleashed the immortal character of agent Ari Gold played by Jeremy Piven.
—
Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
In the first half of Hurry Up Tomorrow, Tesfaye worries about his ever-weakening voice amid a relentless tour cycle where he’s tormented and inundated with partying hangers-on and lewd friend turned manager Lee (Barry Keoghan).
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The Wild Card is mind-numbing showcase of boxing photos, sweat, noise and hangers-on.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
In a government that is already owned and operated by far-right cranks and hangers-on, Bongino can only do so much damage on his own.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
In the first half of Hurry Up Tomorrow, Tesfaye worries about his ever-weakening voice amid a relentless tour cycle where he’s tormented and inundated with partying hangers-on and lewd friend turned manager Lee (Barry Keoghan).
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 May 2025
The Wild Card is mind-numbing showcase of boxing photos, sweat, noise and hangers-on.
—Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
In a government that is already owned and operated by far-right cranks and hangers-on, Bongino can only do so much damage on his own.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on
Noun
-
The United States is dropping about 100 million sterile flies each week in southern Mexico to help slow the spread of the parasite.—
Clara Migoya,
AZCentral.com,
16 July 2025
-
Colton was also prescribed a parasite treatment due to diarrhea, the warrant affidavit said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
The showdown of General Zod and his henchmen also takes place at the Fortress, with a great twist to defeat them.—
Daryl Baxter,
Space.com,
11 July 2025
-
Malaparte, by then, was making his name as one of Mussolini’s highbrow henchmen.—
Thomas Meaney,
New Yorker,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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