1
as in free
not costing or charging anything
A local veterinary technician provides gratuitous services to the animal shelter twice a month.
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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
Earlier, Pegas told me his two biggest literary influences were Bret Easton Ellis and David Foster Wallace, and his story combines Ellis’ gratuitous violence with Wallace’s postmodern fixation with mass media.
—
John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
With the studly Euro-hunk Hugo Stiglitz and gratuitous nudity — Tintorera is said to be a Quentin Tarantino favorite.
—Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 20 June 2025
No hype men, no special guests, no gratuitous self-promotion.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
While no group has taken credit for the gratuitous act of destruction, according to the university's Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS), papers found around the site outlined the apparent motive.
—Kyle Schmidbauer, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
John McDermott, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2025
With the studly Euro-hunk Hugo Stiglitz and gratuitous nudity — Tintorera is said to be a Quentin Tarantino favorite.
—Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 20 June 2025
No hype men, no special guests, no gratuitous self-promotion.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
While no group has taken credit for the gratuitous act of destruction, according to the university's Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS), papers found around the site outlined the apparent motive.
—Kyle Schmidbauer, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
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When Wednesday later sneaks into Willow Hill to get her Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen) out of the psychiatric hospital as well as uncover the outcast experiments happening in the basement, things go south when a monster breaks free.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
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Many viewers will receive the service for free as part of their subscription to cable, satellite and most streaming services.—
Joe Reedy,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Nava said another key part of his work this year is tamping down any unnecessary fears and countering misinformation posted on social media and spread amongst farm workers in WhatsApp groups.—
David Culver,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
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Refuse receptacles/compactor and surrounding enclosure is not clean and/or free of unnecessary items and litter.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Final Thoughts Adaptive leadership is not optional in today’s world.—
Jason Ballard,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Mains can be shared or guests can opt for two or three courses, all of which come with complimentary sides.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Members can earn Omni Credits and enjoy perks, such as free Wi-Fi, a welcome drink, and a complimentary bottle of water upon arrival.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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