1
as in drinking
to take in (something liquid) through small openings
the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in begging
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sponging
In the collision of spice, sharpness and seedy crunch, and in the sponging way potatoes soak up butter, the intensity never seems like too much.
—
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
While the sponging industry has diminished over the years (largely because most modern-day consumers use artificial versions for dish scrubbing and housecleaning), there’s still a considerable market for the natural ones, especially in Europe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
While the sponging industry has diminished over the years (largely because most modern-day consumers use artificial versions for dish scrubbing and housecleaning), there’s still a considerable market for the natural ones, especially in Europe.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponging
Verb
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Jude, a 12-year-old who gets injured in a firework accident, had been drinking with older kids while dealing with instability at home.—
Jonathan Hunt-Glassman,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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Patricia explains the process and reminds the woman that drinking coffee before the screening can affect the results.—
Lisa Hughes,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Rebounding has also been a consistent problem for UConn, and the Huskies’ assistant coaches spent time in nearly every huddle during the Final Four matchup begging the team to commit to boxing out and fighting for boards.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
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Some fans are crying their eyes violet over their disappointment, while others are begging critics to get a grip.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline topping a multiyear high of $4 a gallon, according to AAA, inflation-weary commuters are having a tough time absorbing the energy shock.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Florida nonprofit Veterans Cannabis Care addresses this directly, absorbing 100% of both physician and state certification fees for qualifying veterans.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Scientists tracking humpbacks off the coast of Australia have captured rare footage that shows clutches of the freeloading fish peeling away from their host in what looks like a high-speed game of chicken, just moments before the whale breaches.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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The specter of freeloading corporations using more space, water, and energy for AI processing has defined the race for the 30th House of Delegates district, well outside DC.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sponging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponging. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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