Scrounger

A scrounger is an individual who obtains things, often food, money, or other resources, through opportunistic and sometimes underhanded means, without necessarily paying or providing an equivalent exchange. This can involve begging, borrowing, or finding discarded items. The term often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of self-reliance or resourcefulness. Scrounging can be seen as a survival strategy in situations of poverty or hardship, but it can also describe a person who habitually exploits others' generosity or carelessness.

Scrounger meaning with examples

• During the economic downturn, many unemployed workers turned into scroungers, relying on food banks and charitable donations to survive. They adapted quickly and used their personal skills and experiences to maintain their living conditions in times of extreme financial pressure, proving to be very resourceful and resilient.
• The campsite was overrun with hungry chipmunks that acted like professional scroungers, constantly searching for unattended food scraps. This constant interaction with humans left them very dependent, as they grew to expect handouts rather than finding food for themselves.
• Despite having a steady income, he was notorious for being a scrounger, always trying to get free meals or rides from his friends. He would even ask his neighbors for household items. He found it easy to rely on others instead of making his own way.
• After the natural disaster, displaced families, desperate for supplies, became unintentional scroungers, rummaging through damaged buildings for anything useful. These are situations where they are often forced into this behavior due to unforeseen circumstances, and need resources.