gratuitous

adjective

grə-ˈtü-ə-təs How to pronounce gratuitous (audio)
Definition of gratuitousnext
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

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 gratuitous But while this latest attack is gratuitous and cruel, the rescission does not actually change the law; schools can and should continue to include transgender students equally in all educational programs. — Chase Strangio, Time, 30 Sep. 2026 Both understand the enduring appeal of clothes that whisper rather than shout, so there are no gratuitous logos or blink-and-you’ll-miss-it microtrends here. — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2026 Galloway goes into enormous, at times gratuitous detail mapping Leigh’s many breakdowns, while being empathetic about the lack of useful treatments and awareness that existed at the time. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026 But even some of them might balk at its callow psychology and interminably dull plotting that no amount of gratuitous, unengaging violence or nudity can overcome. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
  1. free
  2. unnecessary
  3. optional
  4. complimentary
  5. costless
Adjective
  • On Friday, Royals right-hander Alec Marsh elected to pursue free agency.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Lula and Bolsonaro discussed the value of the minimum wage, public security policies, Brazil's free healthcare system initiatives and incentives for agribusiness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of free
Adjective
  • Finally, there was Gilman’s unnecessary roughness penalty on top of a 22-yard pass that reset the tone of the game and helped enable Denver to cut it to 24-21.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Bears were helped on the ensuing kickoff by Seahawks defensive lineman Mike Morris’ unnecessary roughness penalty, setting them up at their 44-yard line.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of unnecessary
Adjective
  • What has changed is my awareness of how often access is treated as optional or an afterthought.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
  • As jackets and ties have gone from essential to optional, the shirt has increasingly become the most visible piece of the modern man’s wardrobe.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of optional
Adjective
  • Getting around was easy, as there is a complimentary shuttle that will carry you from place to place.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Jordyn Woods appeared in two complimentary pieces for the event, wearing a cropped jacket endowed with dramatic burgundy feathers along with a pair of Woods by Jordyn stunt sandals with matching feathers circling the thick ankle strap.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of complimentary
Adjective
  • The private office should name that plainly than suggest formalization is costless.
    — Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of costless

Browse Nearby Words

gratuities
gratuitous
gratuity
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Cite this Entry

“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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