as in parasite
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return
finally told the sponge to move out of their house and to get a job
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sponge
Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
When the dry season comes, that sponge is slowly squeezed.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2025
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025
Cotton sponges up water and refuses to let go, turning a light rain shower into a grueling, soggy, all-day affair.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sponge
Noun
To clean your stainless steel pan after a night of cooking, simply pour off the excess grease or oil, then clean the pan with warm water and dish soap, using a sponge (our favorite is this Skura style sponge), moving in a continuous circular motion across the cooking surface.
—Emily Johnson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
When the dry season comes, that sponge is slowly squeezed.
—John Meyer, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
These disposable melamine sponges work well for cleaning a variety of items, but they shouldn't be used on everything.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025
Cotton sponges up water and refuses to let go, turning a light rain shower into a grueling, soggy, all-day affair.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sponge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponge
Noun
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Cats can become infected by ingesting raw meat or prey that carries the parasite.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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And if there's a bite mark, chances are some contamination has happened because animals can carry bacteria and parasites in their saliva.—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bader’s formulation avoids this problem by using ascorbyl glucoside, a water-soluble derivative that stays intact in the bottle, then converts into active Vitamin C once absorbed.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
18 Sep. 2025
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Other fruit juices, including apple and citrus ones like orange, may also affect how your body absorbs and processes certain blood pressure medications, said David Maron, MD, a cardiologist with the Preventive Cardiology Clinic at Stanford Medicine.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The second quarter earnings news that comparable store sales were growing for the first time in years was the catalyst that begged a second look and juiced the stock price.—
Greg Petro,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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Brown’s mother, Michelle Dewitt, told the Observer her family begged for help in the years leading up to the attack.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Health asked three cardiologists which beverages people shouldn’t drink while taking blood pressure medications.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
18 Sep. 2025
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Imagine knowing a fan has attended five shows in a year, loves heavy metal, drinks mocktails and always buys merch.—
Geoff Robins,
Rolling Stone,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sponge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponge. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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