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
According to an account of the phone call with Ailes, which Carlson later related to his former college roommate Neil Patel, Ailes began their conversation with a gratuitous insult.
—
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
That’s not a gratuitous question, given King’s past.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
One devilish regime cracks with Maduro’s capture; gratuitous, imperial profiteering must not be allowed to empower another.
—Anthony Dominguez, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
The Pop-Tarts Bowl has successfully navigated a thin line between viral marketing and gratuitous gimmick in recent years, providing a sprinkle-laden counterexample to those who fear non-College Football Playoff bowl games will crumble in this new reality of professionalized college football.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
That’s not a gratuitous question, given King’s past.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
One devilish regime cracks with Maduro’s capture; gratuitous, imperial profiteering must not be allowed to empower another.
—Anthony Dominguez, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
The Pop-Tarts Bowl has successfully navigated a thin line between viral marketing and gratuitous gimmick in recent years, providing a sprinkle-laden counterexample to those who fear non-College Football Playoff bowl games will crumble in this new reality of professionalized college football.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
Oweh had a breakout season in the aftermath of his midseason trade from Baltimore and is considered one of the top defensive players set to be available in free agency.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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In a nice touch, all reseller plans use NVMe storage, LiteSpeed web servers, 30-day backups, free SSL certificates for all clients, malware scanning and removal, and firewalls for enhanced security.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
-
The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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Casali also incorporated features from bigger models, such as the foredeck lounge and an optional drop-down aft platform.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Though the Regent is a few hundred yards from the beach, beach butler service is complimentary with your stay, which includes chair and umbrella setups and food and beverage service … other than alcoholic drinks, which aren’t allowed on Santa Monica’s public beaches.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
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This glow-in-the-dark party offers complimentary neon paint, with Bollywood, Punjabi and South Indian DJ music.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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