as in parasites
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return
a freeloader who apparently intends to live off of his long-suffering parents forever
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Recent Examples of freeloaders
That will weed out the frauds, freeloaders and slumlords.
—
Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
Under Bolsonaro, state funding dried up, and the government painted artists as freeloaders wasting taxpayer money.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
Campillo objected to that rationale, contending residents of nearby cities shouldn’t be treated the same as tourists or characterized as rich freeloaders for visiting Balboa Park as non-residents of San Diego.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Remember how in 2023 when swarms of these surly, entitled freeloaders suddenly materialized – in Terminal E, of all places.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
Under Bolsonaro, state funding dried up, and the government painted artists as freeloaders wasting taxpayer money.
—Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
Campillo objected to that rationale, contending residents of nearby cities shouldn’t be treated the same as tourists or characterized as rich freeloaders for visiting Balboa Park as non-residents of San Diego.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Remember how in 2023 when swarms of these surly, entitled freeloaders suddenly materialized – in Terminal E, of all places.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for freeloaders
parasites
Noun
-
After being tested for airtightness, helium was pumped into the glass enclosure through thin tubes inserted into the lead lining, to protect the document from corrosive oxygen and parasites.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
-
Always wear gloves before handling nests to protect yourself from any germs or parasites.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Freeloaders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/freeloaders. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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