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
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
When Jeanne inevitably breaks down at one point, the filmmaker doesn’t crowd Cottin with gratuitous closeups, but instead frames the scene from a respectful distance.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 July 2025
Buckley was heedless of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s profound concern over a military-industrial complex pushing the nation into gratuitous wars for ulterior motives, i.e., money and power.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
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
When Jeanne inevitably breaks down at one point, the filmmaker doesn’t crowd Cottin with gratuitous closeups, but instead frames the scene from a respectful distance.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 July 2025
Buckley was heedless of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s profound concern over a military-industrial complex pushing the nation into gratuitous wars for ulterior motives, i.e., money and power.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
Most popular e-books on Libby The library's data analysts provided The Enquirer with a list of the most popular e-books among Cincinnati residents on Libby, a free app that gives library cardholders access to e-books, audiobooks, magazines and more.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
21 Aug. 2025
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Now, the question will become, will Cunningham re-sign with Indiana in free agency?—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Brown dropped an easy pass, then also failed to get upfield on a different third-down throw that put the offense in an unnecessary fourth-down situation.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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If only the series had more faith in its viewers to appreciate that vision without the unnecessary noise of a biker gang spinning its wheels.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet even with these far-reaching effects, financial literacy continues to be treated as an optional skill set rather than as a cornerstone of true economic progress.—
Kevin Cohee,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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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.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Passengers in all classes will enjoy complimentary food and drinks.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
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The best scenes in the movie are obviously Dauberman’s horror set-pieces, which feel like Wan ideas (complimentary).—
Emily Palmer Heller,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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