HANGER-ON Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

hanger-on

noun

ˈhaŋ-ər-ˌȯn

Definition of hanger-on

as in parasite

a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return almost overnight, the singer was a star, and almost overnight, he was surrounded by hangers-on who wanted something

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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 hanger-on Decades after Julian’s vanishing there, the band and various hangers-on recall eerie incidents both in and out of the house—rooms full of occult literature; pub full of haunting photographs—as well as the glimmering stranger circling the Orpheus-esque Julian. — Literary Hub, 2 June 2026 Tiny hangers-on are tucked into pockets and cavort in crevices. — Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Most of the remaining hangers-on were staging going-out-of-business sales. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 The book orbits around an art scandal that pulls in collectors, curators, philosophers and hangers-on. — CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hanger-on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on

Noun

Two samples tested positive for the parasite, cyclospora, according to the FDA.

— Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … BROKEN COVENANT — Javier Milei blasts UN as 'useless' den of 'fatally arrogant parasites' in raucous speech.

— , FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of parasite

Noun

That may prove a moot point as Zelda was later seen giving her henchman, who had located the sisters, instructions to go as high as needed to secure their shares.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
One of the villain’s henchmen was a small, shaggy blue creature with a long drooping snout and a sour expression that lived in a cigar box.

— Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of henchman

Noun

Kim’s laboratory previously discovered that molten bismuth can act like a chemical sponge, cleanly capturing rare-earth elements out of liquid salts.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
For instance, at what point are there enough openings in a sponge for a liquid to flow through?

— Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of sponge

Browse Nearby Words

hangdog

hanger-on

hangers-on

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“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanger-on. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hanger-on

noun

Example Sentences

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