as in extra
being over what is needed
cleared off all the superfluous stuff on his desk to make room for the new computer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 superfluous
At a time when Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, and Cervantes were weaving verbal spells upon the stage, music must have seemed a superfluous addition—just as, in England, the mighty lines of Marlowe and Shakespeare hardly cried out for melodic elaboration.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Hayes and Doncic trade throw-in Maxi Kleber are the two legitimate center-sized options on the bench behind Ayton, while 6-foot-8 forward Rui Hachimura and 6-foot-9 forward Jarred Vanderbilt can play some small-ball center minutes, essentially making Koloko superfluous.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Outside help will not be superfluous.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025
There are a few talking heads providing context or explanation, and those talking heads — Ross Matthews, mostly — are easily the worst part of the documentary, or at least the most superfluous part.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superfluous
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Hayes and Doncic trade throw-in Maxi Kleber are the two legitimate center-sized options on the bench behind Ayton, while 6-foot-8 forward Rui Hachimura and 6-foot-9 forward Jarred Vanderbilt can play some small-ball center minutes, essentially making Koloko superfluous.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Outside help will not be superfluous.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025
There are a few talking heads providing context or explanation, and those talking heads — Ross Matthews, mostly — are easily the worst part of the documentary, or at least the most superfluous part.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superfluous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superfluous
Adjective
-
This year, extra pitfalls exist that could make taxpayers fumble and make a mistake on their tax return.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Qualifying for Europe’s elite competition will add to United’s payroll overheads, but the extra income from playing in it will more than offset that.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Because of this, vitamin D toxicity also results in hypercalcemia (blood calcium levels above normal) and hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine).—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Cooking frozen vegetables directly helps prevent excess moisture from leaching out and keeps flavors concentrated.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Gulf sovereign funds were established to invest surplus oil revenues abroad and promote economic diversification at home.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Council members gave staffers approval to pursue the surplus land discussions with the state.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms The 219 rooms including 40 suites perfectly nail that balance of minimalism and luxury without seeming spare, or overly precious.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The spare ingredient list allows the bulb’s true flavor to shine through.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 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
-
No roadways are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superfluous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superfluous. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
