sponges 1 of 2

Definition of spongesnext
plural of sponge
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sponges

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sponge
1
as in drinks
to take in (something liquid) through small openings the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain

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2
as in begs
to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility she's been sponging off of her friends while she tries to land an entry-level job on Wall Street

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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 sponges
Noun
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, 28 Jan. 2026 Among the species discovered were ancient relatives of worms, sponges and jellyfish. CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026 Add them underneath your hand soap, dish soap, scrub brushes, sponges, and more to prevent spills around the sink from soaking your counters. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 Jan. 2026 Glamour reviewer Elismary Valle says that this cleanser is fast and tough, and brushes and makeup sponges are left as good as new after cleansing with it. Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026 Located inside the Lamar Bathhouse, the shop is open daily, selling a variety of souvenirs that highlight the area's history, flora and fauna, and, of course, bath products—everything from fancy soaps and loofah sponges to bottles that can be filled with water from the hot springs. Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026 How to clean a sponges, dish brush Sponges should be cleaned once a week and replaced every 2-3 weeks. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026 Don't forget that sponges can also be placed on the top rack to remove bacteria and grime. Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Jan. 2026 Damp Items Washcloths, dish towels, loofahs, and wet sponges should never be left on the counters. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponges
Noun
  • Sette is considered an expert on human T cells, the immune cells that adapt to recognize and fight infections from viruses, bacteria, parasites and other pathogens.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Bed nets and drugs save lives, but the family of parasites that cause malaria, called Plasmodium, keeps evolving new ways to survive.
    Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Research is mixed as to how many drinks an adult can safely consume.
    Aria Bendix, NBC news, 24 Jan. 2026
  • What if only one person in your party drinks alcohol?
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Still, the rapid adoption of Burrito League begs the challenge—what the hell is so appealing about running around and around and around the same restaurant for days on end?
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The blooming pink muhly grass, a sight that begs to be photographed.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The team selected specific animal spirits – deer, buffalo, leeches, fleas, ants, and softshell turtles – which Setyanto translated into movement.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Even in modern medicine, the practice isn’t obsolete; doctors sometimes apply live leeches after reconstructive surgery to keep blood from clotting in flaps of tissue.
    Blair Braverman, Outside, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • To ensure your body fully absorbs antibiotics, take antibiotics at least two hours before or four to six hours after taking magnesium.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Silicones help minimize the look of pores, squalane supports balanced hydration, and upsalite absorbs excess sweat and oil throughout the day for a natural matte finish.
    Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sponges.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponges. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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