Synonyms of extraneous

extraneous

adjective

ek-ˈstrā-nē-əs 

1

as in irrelevant

not being a vital part of or belonging to something

the architect's streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irrelevant
• external
• extrinsic
• adventitious
• accidental
• foreign
• alien
• unnecessary
• supervenient
• exterior
• inapplicable
• nonessential
• insignificant
• immaterial
• unessential
• outside

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inherent
• intrinsic
• innate
• internal
• congenital
• necessary
• basic
• interior
• essential
• inside
• inbred
• inborn
• deep-seated

2

as in immaterial

not having anything to do with the matter at hand

the professor would have covered all of the course material if she had refrained from her extraneous remarks on just about everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irrelevant
• immaterial
• inapplicable
• meaningless
• inappropriate
• impertinent
• irrelative
• incidental
• peripheral
• tangential
• beside the point
• inapposite
• useless
• unimportant
• insignificant
• neither here nor there
• inconsequential
• pointless
• inane
• tangent
• unsuitable
• moot
• empty
• dead
• senseless
• inapt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relevant
• relative
• pertinent
• important
• applicable
• material
• significant
• meaningful
• pointed
• germane
• useful
• appropriate
• apposite
• apropos
• sensible
• suitable
• apt
• fit

Synonym Chooser

How is the word extraneous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of extraneous are alien, extrinsic, and foreign. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.

arguments extraneous to the issue

How do alien and foreign relate to one another, in the sense of extraneous?

Alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.

a practice totally alien to her nature

Where would extrinsic be a reasonable alternative to extraneous?

The words extrinsic and extraneous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.

sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

When can foreign be used instead of extraneous?

While in some cases nearly identical to extraneous, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.

techniques foreign to French cuisine

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of extraneous

There are no extraneous set pieces to keep the audience’s attention, no rousing speeches from world leaders, no context provided about why Ramadi was important to American interests during the Iraq War. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025

So while Federal programs may seem like an extraneous, irrelevant waste of funds, Americorps changed my life. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 6 May 2025

But the story could be streamlined and clarified by cutting out some of the extraneous characters not crucial to the plot. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2025

But there’s a fundamental contradiction in seeing nature as something that’s extraneous to humankind. —Farah Nayeri, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

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