free riders

plural of free rider
as in parasites
a person who is supported by or seeks support from another without making an adequate return During their fundraising campaign, the public radio station encouraged listeners not to be free riders.

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for free riders
Noun
  • These methods sort through the DNA in a sample looking for specific genes that are signatures of parasites like pinworms, as well as bacterial pathogens.
    Veronique Greenwood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Extreme temperatures, parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria are also major dangers.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Besides being mugged by one of Iza’s henchmen, a brick was thrown through his window and his car was vandalized.
    Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Clarke played villain henchmen Mac in the film partly set and filmed in Sydney, Australia.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
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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“Free riders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free%20riders. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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