free rider

as in parasite
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return During their fundraising campaign, the public radio station encouraged listeners not to be free riders.

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for free rider
Noun
  • Grooming too frequently can indicate issues such as parasites, allergies, infections, pain, or stress.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
  • Their demise was later hastened by a parasite called Bonamia ostreae, which is thought to have been imported from California around 1979.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Taylor initially applied for Medicaid in May 2019 under the alias Candace Sailor, listing a bi-weekly income of $1,900 and no dependents, authorities said.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
  • Crucially, spouses and dependents receive immediate work permits, supporting household stability and integration.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Noun
  • That’ll play for this group, and Hassanein has been a sponge in training camp, picking the brains of Aidan Hutchinson and Penei Sewell.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Higher tier players, all but a few crazies, are going to burn out with this insane difficulty that is often not necessarily difficulty, but endless sponges and the simple inability to ever feel truly strong.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Noun
  • The wretched music alone is worth it, as is Victor Von Doom's henchman, who sounds like a little kid trying to impersonate Dracula.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 25 July 2025
  • One of his henchmen does but, as is the case in many MCU movies, his identity is revealed by the end of the film.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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“Free rider.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20rider. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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