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extraneous

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of extraneous

1 not being a vital part of or belonging to something
  • The architect's streamlined modern style shuns any sort of extraneous ornamentation.
Synonyms of extraneous

accidental, alien, external, extrinsic, foreign
Words Related to extraneous

exterior, outside

immaterial, inapplicable, insignificant, irrelevant

nonessential, unessential, unnecessary
Near Antonyms of extraneous

congenital, deep-seated, inborn, inbred

inside, interior, internal

basic, essential, necessary
Antonyms of extraneous

inherent, innate, intrinsic
2 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 of extraneous

immaterial, impertinent, inapplicable, inapposite, irrelevant
Words Related to extraneous

incidental, peripheral, tangent, tangential

dead, moot

inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant

empty, inane, meaningless, pointless, senseless, useless

inappropriate, inapt, unsuitable
Phrases Synonymous with extraneous

beside the point, neither here nor there
Near Antonyms of extraneous

important, meaningful, significant

sensible, useful

appropriate, apt, fit, suitable
Antonyms of extraneous

applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, material, pertinent, pointed, relative, relevant

Synonym Discussion of extraneous

extrinsic, extraneous, foreign, alien mean external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character. 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
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
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
alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.
    • a practice totally alien to her nature

Learn More about extraneous

  1. See words that rhyme with extraneous Dictionary: Definition of extraneous Spanish Central: Translation of extraneous Nglish: Translation of extraneous for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of extraneous for Arabic speakers

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