as in to use
to take unfair advantage of
unscrupulous people trying to milk the welfare system for all it's worth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 milk
Cardozo added that all milking operations have ceased, and some beef and non-lactating dairy cattle are still grazing.
—
Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
In recent years, private-equity deals have been seen to milk businesses for profit by slashing costs and quality, and have appeared to play a role in the breakup of some legacy retail brands, including Toys R Us, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and fabrics chain JoAnn Inc.
—Suhauna Hussain The Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 18 Jan. 2026
In recent years, private-equity deals have been seen to milk businesses for profit by slashing costs and quality, and have appeared to play a role in the breakup of some legacy retail brands, including Toys ‘R’ Us, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and fabrics chain JoAnn Inc.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Netflix milking the hype around its biggest show in new, previously unannounced ways?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for milk
Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
In recent years, private-equity deals have been seen to milk businesses for profit by slashing costs and quality, and have appeared to play a role in the breakup of some legacy retail brands, including Toys R Us, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and fabrics chain JoAnn Inc.
—Suhauna Hussain The Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 18 Jan. 2026
In recent years, private-equity deals have been seen to milk businesses for profit by slashing costs and quality, and have appeared to play a role in the breakup of some legacy retail brands, including Toys ‘R’ Us, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays and fabrics chain JoAnn Inc.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Netflix milking the hype around its biggest show in new, previously unannounced ways?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for milk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milk
Verb
-
Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agree to constrain its nuclear program and over Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Discoverability, most people just use algorithms to find music nowadays.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the threat of extremist nihilistic groups goes beyond individual harm to exploited children, the federal memos obtained by CNN show.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But experts say that the state program has lacked thorough oversight and accountability, allowing a small group of manufacturers to exploit the program’s robust endowments.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Videos and photos seized from Epstein's homes in New York, Florida and the Virgin Islands didn't depict victims being abused or implicate anyone else in his crimes, a prosecutor wrote in one 2025 memo.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
At least two women who were prostituted and abused by Epstein and his clients had Colorado connections.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By leveraging light to enhance oxygen electrochemistry, the approach reduces energy losses and extends device lifetime without relying on precious metals.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Each event builds in attendance and attention, leveraging their prestige to bring together global namesakes and the best-of-the-best in exclusive marquee matches.—
Bradenton Herald Staff Reports,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His belief that a conspiratorial coterie of people is manipulating American policy.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Certain brands of that vintage can be manipulated in ways that later models can’t.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Armstrong has been charged by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit with single counts of human trafficking of a minor, pimping a minor over the age of 16 years and pandering with a minor over 16 years old — all felonies.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Those arrested during the operation include four men charged with pimping, pandering and violating a protective order, who face anywhere between six and 20 years in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney’s Office.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Milk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milk. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
