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
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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
Thank god, as the two-week break between conference title weekend and the Big Game always feels gratuitous from my vantage point.
—
Chris Branch, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The result in practice tends to be gratuitous spending for minimal present gains.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Chris Branch, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The result in practice tends to be gratuitous spending for minimal present gains.
—James Broughel, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
Give every incoming player free agency.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Moon broke free and one-timed a bouncing ball into the net for the equalizer.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The best iterations of this event over the past half-century have culminated in victories by global superstars whose surnames are unnecessary.—
Jason Sobel,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Doing so is not an effort against the environment but one in favor of addressing our housing crisis and cutting unnecessary bureaucracy.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
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.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to sharing contact and school information, the link for the image, and a 200-400 artist statement describing your flag, students will answer a series of short, optional questions about their process.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So, the way to be more complimentary in that segment was not to battle, not to push back, and try to out-Kool G Rap Big Pun on that record.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
3 Apr. 2026
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This list is based on a standard stateroom, before factoring in any complimentary perks from cruise loyalty programs.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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