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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of hanger-on
Callie is popular and vivacious, perpetually surrounded by admirers and various hangers-on (Audrey Grace Marshall’s Cara is hellbent on usurping Minnie’s place in Callie’s life, while her himbo-esque boyfriend Brad is given wonderful dimension through Beck Nolan’s sneaky-good performance).
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
That transition is likely one of the reasons Welch spent the night surrounded by people eager to get a word in—though the rangy scribe was often seen looking over the heads of his hangers-on, trying to catch the eye of his tween nephew, who noted that this was his first-ever fashion show.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
No pop artist has ever survived haters, handlers and hangers-on without a scratch.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
In one of its most demanding assignments of recent memory, the San Francisco Opera Chorus led by John Keene embodies one population after another — monkeys, undersea dwellers, gods and heavenly hangers-on — and does it with power and cogency.
—Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
That transition is likely one of the reasons Welch spent the night surrounded by people eager to get a word in—though the rangy scribe was often seen looking over the heads of his hangers-on, trying to catch the eye of his tween nephew, who noted that this was his first-ever fashion show.
—Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
No pop artist has ever survived haters, handlers and hangers-on without a scratch.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
In one of its most demanding assignments of recent memory, the San Francisco Opera Chorus led by John Keene embodies one population after another — monkeys, undersea dwellers, gods and heavenly hangers-on — and does it with power and cogency.
—Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on
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
Noun
-
Major Roberto Carlos told the silent henchman to sit me down at the back of the building, where another agent came and took my phone and laptop with him down a long hall.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
-
Jai Courtney will play Rob-Will, a ranch foreman and one of Beulah Jackson’s henchmen.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Use a sponge or nylon-bristle brush dipped in the soapy solution to scrub the furniture.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
16 May 2026
-
Considerations Before Getting Started Never use abrasive sponges, metal utensils, or harsh chemicals to clean your microwave.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
