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 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 A number of presences, including Hunter Schafer‘s busybody assistant and Kaia Gerber’s entourage hanger-on, flit about on the periphery while the leads conversationally duke it out. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2026 The world has gotten a glimpse of the fawning, skeezy shamelessness of his famous hangers-on, but not enough to criminally implicate them. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hanger-on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanger-on

Noun

Such color variations are thought to be associated with camouflage, protection against parasites and ultraviolet radiation, and the effects of pleiotropic genes (genes that influence more than one, usually unrelated, physical trait or phenotype).

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
The molecule also exists on malaria parasites; the researchers had been trying to identify allergen-specific monoclonal antibodies to neutralize infection, but none could bind well to the parasite.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of parasite

Noun

One of the senior henchmen of right-wing Christian politics saw this dangerous transformation unfolding from the inside.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
While Sanji and Chopper fight off various henchmen, Luffy battles Wapol and eventually beats him with Sanj’s help.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of henchman

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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hanger-on

noun

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