1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

superfluous

adjective

su̇-ˈpər-flü-əs How to pronounce superfluous (audio)
Definition of superfluousnext
as in extra
being over what is needed cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of superfluous The downside is that these shifts are not situations where instinctual actions are superfluous. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 The gruesome, grisly details were superfluous, unlike an earlier obituary style in which the how sometimes seemed to predominate over the who, what, when, where, and why. — Sam Roberts, Longreads, 11 Aug. 2026 The camps destroyed the bodies and spirits of their inmates before murdering them; entire populations could be rendered superfluous through bureaucratized terror. — David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 The New York Liberty also have interesting young players such as Pauline Astier, Raquel Carrera and Han Xu who might be superfluous on the current roster and would be more exciting for a team such as the Sparks. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for superfluous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superfluous
  1. extra
  2. excess
  3. surplus
  4. spare
  5. unnecessary
Adjective
  • This jacket is constructed from a heavyweight cotton, providing an extra layer that keeps you cozy on chilly fall days.
    — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
  • For many Broward educators, the compensation funded through this referendum is not a bonus or extra spending money.
    — Roberto Fernandez III, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of extra
Adjective
  • Brain problems such as stroke or excess fluid can show up too, along with musculoskeletal issues like disc disease or joint damage.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The scans also spot fatty liver, gallstones and kidney cysts, brain conditions such as stroke or excess fluid, and musculoskeletal issues like disc disease or joint problems.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of excess
Adjective
  • Commissioners approved nearly $1 billion in tax funding for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, including a last-minute boost of $11 million in surplus county money.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • That experience led to me founding a global nonprofit and two for-profit social enterprise brands that turn surplus items into an opportunity in low- and middle-income nations.
    — Wayne Elsey, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of surplus
Adjective
  • In fact, most aircraft can be perfectly serviceable, but may remain grounded due to waiting for spare parts, an engineering decision, depot work, or some other bit of support.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Skou pointed to freight forwarding giant DSV, which uses drones to move spare parts to offshore wind farms and between data centers.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of spare
Adjective
  • Responses were mixed, with those agreeing with Wehniainen saying the practice is unprofessional and could create unnecessary distractions during an interview.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Every unnecessary click creates another opportunity to lose them.
    — Chris Zelig, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of unnecessary

Browse Nearby Words

superfluity
superfluous
superfluousness
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Superfluous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superfluous. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tactile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All