Word info Synonyms Antonyms

free rider

Noun

Meaning

Someone who obtains goods or services legally without paying.
The store failed because all of the manager's friends were free riders who drove paying customers away.

(economics) One who obtains benefit from a public good without paying for it directly.
A lighthouse is the classic example of a public good because it is difficult to prevent a ship (a free rider) from using it.

(industrial relations) A worker at an open shop who is able to enjoy the benefits negotiated by a union without being a member of the union.

Source: en.wiktionary.org

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Examples

One free rides to profit from a stock trade without actually using any of his or her own capital. citation A common example of a free rider problem is defense spending. Source: Internet

Possible solutions Government is the primary agency that societies utilize to address the free rider problem. Source: Internet

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