1
as in free
not costing or charging anything
A local veterinary technician provides gratuitous services to the animal shelter twice a month.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unnecessary
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
that violent scene was completely gratuitous and didn't need to be in the movie at all
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gratuitous
This was the superfluous lie, the gratuitous lie—the lie that did not need to be told but was told only as a demonstration of power.
—
Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Was the mention of Louise gratuitous?
—Dan Chiasson, The New York Review of Books, 22 Apr. 2026
This was not going to be gratuitous.
—Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Creator and host Eric André took the late-night talk show, a TV genre with all-too-familiar conventions, and twisted it beyond recognition with harrowing celebrity interviews, person-on-the-street stunts, jump-scare pranks, and gratuitous nudity.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Was the mention of Louise gratuitous?
—Dan Chiasson, The New York Review of Books, 22 Apr. 2026
This was not going to be gratuitous.
—Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Creator and host Eric André took the late-night talk show, a TV genre with all-too-familiar conventions, and twisted it beyond recognition with harrowing celebrity interviews, person-on-the-street stunts, jump-scare pranks, and gratuitous nudity.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
La Roja needs quicker movement of the ball and its players, more adaptation to what the opponent is doing (Saudi Arabia is not going to play free and open after seeing what worked) and to be more ruthless.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
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Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
In a separate case, Oren David Shachar of Van Nuys, Abraham Shin of Corona and Jeannie Choi of Torrance are accused of participating in a healthcare fraud scheme involving submitting false claims for medically unnecessary hospice care services.—
Andrea Klick,
Daily News,
23 June 2026
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Overcollection of personal information often indicates monetization through data sharing rather than delivering user value, creating unnecessary privacy and security risks.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Adjective
-
Garden trowel Mulch (optional) Prepare the soil by loosening it up with a garden trowel.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
22 June 2026
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Wearing a life jacket isn’t optional for children.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
22 June 2026
Adjective
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With complimentary babysitting and free extra cots and cribs standard with any stay, families can hunker down and know they will be treated to island hospitality while being able to take advantage of snorkeling, scuba diving, nature walks, and beachfront cottages.—
Chelsea Adams,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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Both the Penthouse Junior Suite (432 square feet) and Explorer Suite (808-1,215 square feet) include all of the perks of Veranda staterooms, plus complimentary laundry.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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