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
And the gratuitous insults—to NATO allies, the European Union, the BRICs, the United Nations, or the World Health Organization—continue to flow from the president.
—
Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
Despite the invective and hyperbole the Guild continues to inject into the process, which have included gratuitous and nasty personal attacks, the Daily News stands ready to sit down as often as necessary and as long as necessary.
—The Daily News, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
When Jeanne inevitably breaks down at one point, the filmmaker doesn’t crowd Cottin with gratuitous closeups, but instead frames the scene from a respectful distance.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 July 2025
Buckley was heedless of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s profound concern over a military-industrial complex pushing the nation into gratuitous wars for ulterior motives, i.e., money and power.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
Despite the invective and hyperbole the Guild continues to inject into the process, which have included gratuitous and nasty personal attacks, the Daily News stands ready to sit down as often as necessary and as long as necessary.
—The Daily News, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
When Jeanne inevitably breaks down at one point, the filmmaker doesn’t crowd Cottin with gratuitous closeups, but instead frames the scene from a respectful distance.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 July 2025
Buckley was heedless of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s profound concern over a military-industrial complex pushing the nation into gratuitous wars for ulterior motives, i.e., money and power.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
Alvarado said that, to her, the holiday means being free.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Looking for a free mini puzzle?—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In a filing on Friday, Lively’s team opposed extending the deposition deadline to accommodate a deposition of Swift, questioning the relevance of her testimony and accusing Baldoni’s lawyers of causing unnecessary delay.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Source The Canadian Rockies source delivers crisp, natural spring water untouched by unnecessary treatment, while the bottle design introduces a modern convenience that elevates the experience far beyond hydration.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The previously optional 5,000-pound towing package is standard now.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The orchestration layer must detect failure patterns and adapt—whether by retrying, skipping optional steps or escalating the task to a human reviewer.—
Gopikrishnan Anilkumar,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Guests will receive one free game of bowling, complimentary snacks while supplies last and a $10 arcade card.—
Marcus Smith,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The effect is very MAC Cosmetics ad circa 2009 (complimentary).—
Glamour,
Glamour,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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