mooch

1
as in to beg
to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility he's always mooching off of his friends, even though he can easily pay his own way

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to sneak
to move about in a sly or secret manner I suspect she's mooching around in the background and keeping an eye on us

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

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 mooch Her family wants to mooch off her success while also criticizing her success. Lydia Patrick, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 The exchange seemed to show real feelings and judgments — that the Europeans are mooching and that any American military action, no matter how clearly in American interests as well, should be somehow paid for by other beneficiaries. Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025 Not for Chelsea, obviously, whom he’s already once told to go find a richer boyfriend to mooch off. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025 Anyway, my friend and I were able to mooch a ride from him to that wonderful institution known as LAX, land of inconvenience, confusion, disdain and dirty bathrooms. Marla Jo Fisher, Orange County Register, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mooch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mooch
Verb
  • Over the course of his prolific, three-decade career, the American filmmaker has established a signature aesthetic and working style that could convince any actor to beg him for a part — almost any actor.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 June 2025
  • Screengrabs from a viral video of a bathroom before it was renovated by Jaci Marie Smith after the previous owners of the home begged her not to do it.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Despite her largely younger fan base – the demographic that loves streaming sites – Cyrus launches her title on the Official Albums Streaming chart at No. 39, just barely sneaking into the top 40 region.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • On assignment for People magazine in 2005, Weiss attempts to sneak onto Brad Pitt’s beachfront compound in Santa Barbara, hoping to grab some tasty morsels about the megastar’s new relationship with Jolie.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Then of course, there’s wandering through some of the region’s rich history.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
  • The place currently has 13 chickens that roam its grounds, provide her with fresh eggs and, now and then, wander into her kitchen to peck away at some cat food.
    David Browne, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • And again summer approaches and one must sift through all those spoiling invitations that inevitably come rolling in when one is an indolent (and impoverished) European aristocrat — who needs to freeload off the rich and hardworking.
    James Fallon, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
  • Minutes before Carney’s arrival, Trump set a contentious tone by accusing Canada of freeloading on trade and the nations’ geopolitical alliance.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Supermassive black holes lurk all throughout the known universe, but catching one in the act of devouring its cosmic dinner doesn't happen all that often.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • In this regard, another early-20th-century influence besides Bulgakov lurks in The Stolen Heart: Mykola Khvylovy.
    Uilleam Blacker, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Tesla’s robotaxis will roam city streets, and humanoid robots dubbed Optimus will perform everyday tasks.
    Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
  • Since then, Tex, who sports a yellow ear tag, has been roaming around and randomly making appearances.
    Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • This image from Japan catches a White-Tailed Sea Eagle hiding a fish in a hole as another eagle was approaching to steal it.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, there are Black folks serving life for stealing a pack of gum.
    Peter Aitken Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The elephant strolled in from the nearby national park, Kha Yai, and is a familiar sight in the Nakhon Ratchasima province of Thailand, the Associated Press reported.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 4 June 2025
  • It’s said that as a young and then unknown designer, Christian Dior, strolled past the Hôtel Plaza Athénée on a breezy afternoon.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 3 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mooch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mooch. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!