sponged

past tense of sponge
1
as in drank
to take in (something liquid) through small openings the ground quickly sponged up the much-needed rain

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2
as in begged
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sponged
Verb
  • The group drank alcohol and used a series of drugs — including cocaine and Xanax from the dark web, prosecutors say.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Her mother drank from the water bottle and realized there was a sour taste, sparking suspicions her water was being tampered with.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Theo was not rich, and Vincent constantly complained about being broke, with not even enough money for food, and often practically begged his brother for more money.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • With Blauvelt's killer still on the loose, her family begged for answers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Ninety percent of those particles were small enough to qualify as nanoplastics, which are small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier and be absorbed into human cells.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The new generation of therapeutic peptides is chemically modified to resist breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract, where traditional peptide drugs degrade before they can be absorbed.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Sponged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sponged. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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