1
as in free
not costing or charging anything
A local veterinary technician provides gratuitous services to the animal shelter twice a month.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gratuitous
Some of these flourishes feel a touch gratuitous: milk is spilled; repeated Amelia Bedelia-esque references are made to Evie’s sister losing her marbles; and, of course, there’s the name—yes, this Eve bites into an apple.
—
Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
In the end, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber had no choice but to suspend Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for their next MLS match after neither failed to show up for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, in accordance with a longstanding league rule meant to prevent gratuitous no-shows.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
And the gratuitous insults—to NATO allies, the European Union, the BRICs, the United Nations, or the World Health Organization—continue to flow from the president.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
Despite the invective and hyperbole the Guild continues to inject into the process, which have included gratuitous and nasty personal attacks, the Daily News stands ready to sit down as often as necessary and as long as necessary.
—The Daily News, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
In the end, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber had no choice but to suspend Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for their next MLS match after neither failed to show up for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, in accordance with a longstanding league rule meant to prevent gratuitous no-shows.
—Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
And the gratuitous insults—to NATO allies, the European Union, the BRICs, the United Nations, or the World Health Organization—continue to flow from the president.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
Despite the invective and hyperbole the Guild continues to inject into the process, which have included gratuitous and nasty personal attacks, the Daily News stands ready to sit down as often as necessary and as long as necessary.
—The Daily News, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
This was the round when Liverpool lost yet again, Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca lost his cool but gained a few friends and Manchester United won a fairly straightforward, drama-free match.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Looking for a free mini puzzle?—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Most of the rest of the Middle East, in his mind, is broken, angry, dysfunctional and an arena for unnecessary entanglements.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Without a prenup, couples are forced to rely on the government during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, often facing unnecessary financial strain while navigating outdated, bloated systems.—
Julia Rodgers,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
8 Oct. 2025
-
However, Tesla retained core software, charging capabilities, and active safety features, keeping access to its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system as an optional purchase.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The property will also have a complimentary Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out cocktail available at Soundbooth, the lobby bar and live music venue.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The all-access pass includes access to all films, afternoon talks with filmmakers, entry to evening parties/social events and complimentary beverages at parties/happy hours.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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