hanger-on
noun
hang·er-on
ˈhaŋ-ər-ˌȯn 
-ˌän
plural hangers-on
: one that hangs around a person, place, or institution especially for personal gain
Synonyms
Examples of hanger-on in a Sentence
almost overnight, the singer was a star, and almost overnight, he was surrounded by hangers-on who wanted something
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew becomes Oliver’s bro, his hanger-on, his social-media camera buddy.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
Matthew is a classic hanger-on, whose own identity is mutable, molding himself to whoever is around him and shining their light on him.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025
The parade at Mar-a-Lago was a steady stream of corporate executives, wealthy elites and hangers-on, some vying for plum appointments and favors from the president-elect.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
The disaffected machismo of Nadie seemed to exhaust the man taunting haters and hangers-on.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hanger-on 
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Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
Matthew is a classic hanger-on, whose own identity is mutable, molding himself to whoever is around him and shining their light on him.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025
The parade at Mar-a-Lago was a steady stream of corporate executives, wealthy elites and hangers-on, some vying for plum appointments and favors from the president-elect.
—Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
The disaffected machismo of Nadie seemed to exhaust the man taunting haters and hangers-on.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hanger-on
Dictionary Entries Near hanger-on
Cite this Entry
“Hanger-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hanger-on. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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