as in parasites
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sponges
Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
Allow to sit 10-15 minutes Wipe and scrape the paste gently away with microfiber cloths, soft sponges, and a plastic or silicone scraper.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026
Not all makeup sponges are created equal.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
The sculptures are made with a pH-neutral artificial reef compound that allows coral, sponges, and biomass to settle safely on them.
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
Don't make the mistake of using abrasive cleaning products or scrubber sponges on your mixer.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Don't leave dirty dishes or damp dishcloths and sponges in the kitchen sink.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Noun
Chris DeArmitt, president of the Plastics Research Council, says fibers act like sponges.
—Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2026
Allow to sit 10-15 minutes Wipe and scrape the paste gently away with microfiber cloths, soft sponges, and a plastic or silicone scraper.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 June 2026
Not all makeup sponges are created equal.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
The sculptures are made with a pH-neutral artificial reef compound that allows coral, sponges, and biomass to settle safely on them.
—Megan Margulies, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
Don't make the mistake of using abrasive cleaning products or scrubber sponges on your mixer.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Don't leave dirty dishes or damp dishcloths and sponges in the kitchen sink.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponges
Noun
-
Fungi like Cryptococcus and parasites or amoebas can cause fungal meningitis or parasitic meningitis.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
And now the parasites that love our lawns ready to feast on animal blood.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Wyck is obviously Widow’s Bay’s Quint, the veteran sea salt who takes no guff, drinks too much, and selflessly puts his life on the line.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
15 June 2026
-
Zellweger gained nearly 20 pounds to play the character, who drinks often and exercises intermittently.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
My brothers-in-law and their spouses give their parents only limited amounts of time on holidays and limited physical assistance to their parents only if my husband begs for help.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
Summer practically begs for a more effortless, carefree approach to beauty.—
Rebecca Norris,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The fact is that leeches are relished by everything from walleyes and bass to trout and all the panfish.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
-
The wetland habitats of Condylura cristata are rich in small-bodied invertebrates — earthworms, leeches, aquatic insect larvae — but the individual caloric value of each prey item is low.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Zeolite absorbs excess oil while silk powder creates airy body and grit, making limp hair look instantly fuller and more lived-in.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 June 2026
-
Mineral sunscreens such as zinc or titanium oxide ward off the Sun’s rays by forming a protective film that also absorbs most UV light, but reflects some of it.—
Guy German,
The Conversation,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sponges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponges. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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