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
There is a reason so many Florida university and college presidents are these days being recruited from the ranks of politicians and political hangers-on.
—
Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hanger-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on
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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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