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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gratuitous
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
Nothing in this book is gratuitous.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Nothing’s gratuitous or just kind of popped in there and see what happens.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
There was nothing gratuitous about it.
—Corey Seymour, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2025
Nothing in this book is gratuitous.
—Literary Hub, 19 Dec. 2025
Nothing’s gratuitous or just kind of popped in there and see what happens.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
There was nothing gratuitous about it.
—Corey Seymour, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
The defending league champion Blue Jays have added Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers and Cody Ponce to their pitching staff while signing Kazuma Okamoto to help offset the loss of Bo Bichette in free agency.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
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The NuPhy Node100’s look has been clearly influenced by the aesthetic of the classic Braun T3 radio with its unmistakable dot-matrix design with a clean and clutter-free top panel that includes a customizable touch bar for functions like volume levels.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Santeiro, 63, of Miami Lakes, was found guilty in March 2022 of nine counts of healthcare fraud, including conspiring with others to bill $112 million to private insurers for detox services that were never provided or were medically unnecessary at two substance-abuse facilities in Broward County.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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No roadways are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As pilot classes continue, the San Dieguito Union High School District board voted this month to continue offering ethnic studies as an optional ninth grade English course for students in the coming school year.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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At the same time, optional sensors can also be added to detect gases or measure external temperatures.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Each resort offers all-suite accommodations and its own freshwater pool, fitness center, beach and pool loungers, and complimentary water sports including kayaks and standup paddleboards.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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Enjoy complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club network and Priority PassTM Select membership.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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