as in extra
being over what is needed
cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer
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Recent Examples of superfluous
My small room seemed to be visibly clouded by the stink of my body and the stink of my superfluous thinking.
—
Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Like a sloppy writer adding superfluous words, other jacket companies often add doo-dads to their jackets that look good in marketing materials but make no difference in the performance.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside, 16 Feb. 2026
In the brightly billboarded carcass of a West Coast city, private security shields the corporate enclaves of a tech élite from the shantytowns of the economically superfluous.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Clé de Peau Beauté Precious Gold Vitality Serum The gold in this serum’s name is not superfluous or simply a nod to the bottle’s luxe color.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for superfluous
Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026
Like a sloppy writer adding superfluous words, other jacket companies often add doo-dads to their jackets that look good in marketing materials but make no difference in the performance.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside, 16 Feb. 2026
In the brightly billboarded carcass of a West Coast city, private security shields the corporate enclaves of a tech élite from the shantytowns of the economically superfluous.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Clé de Peau Beauté Precious Gold Vitality Serum The gold in this serum’s name is not superfluous or simply a nod to the bottle’s luxe color.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for superfluous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superfluous
Adjective
-
My only gripe is that the Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which allows for snappier logins and secure payments, can only be had with the 512-GB upgrade that costs an extra $100.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
When that foundation is clean, balanced, and nourished, fine hair is less likely to struggle with excess oil, irritation, or breakage.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Once the greasy surface is thoroughly coated in a thin layer of oil, use a clean, soft cloth or fresh paper towel to buff the excess oil away.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Under these rules, the Secretary of the Interior determined how much water use was to be reduced, and declared any availability of surplus water.—
Outside,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Developed under the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program, the XA-103 is designed for long-range Pacific theater sorties as well as providing large amounts of surplus power for next-generation sensors and directed energy weapons.—
David Szondy
March 01,
New Atlas,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The pandemic—a period of isolation, stifled desire, and spare cash that would usually have been spent on night life—provided Fedorova with the opportunity for an introduction into fetish gear.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Both joined the Bulls for shootaround the morning of the deadline with at least five hours left to spare, and the medical team cleared Ivey to play that night.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Wardens were previously required to provide, as well as cover the cost of, hormonal drugs and medically unnecessary procedures to prisoners who sought to physically alter themselves to appear as the opposite sex.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
-
When the skin barrier is healthy, treatment ingredients such as retinoids, vitamin C, and peptides can work more effectively without triggering unnecessary inflammation or dryness.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superfluous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superfluous. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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