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
Since the end of the Cold War, influential critics have been telling us that American dominance is superfluous and costly at best, destructive and dangerous at worst.
—
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Closing off a superfluous doorway, Ashley centered the entertaining space around a custom built-in inspired by an antique library hutch, which features a wet bar and storage for everything from libations and glassware to toys.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
The latter is superfluous since the handset can already use the main camera in concert with the outside screen.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
The narrative is weighed down by superfluous details.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superfluous
Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Closing off a superfluous doorway, Ashley centered the entertaining space around a custom built-in inspired by an antique library hutch, which features a wet bar and storage for everything from libations and glassware to toys.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026
The latter is superfluous since the handset can already use the main camera in concert with the outside screen.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
The narrative is weighed down by superfluous details.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superfluous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superfluous
Adjective
-
That staunch support takes on extra significance in a hyper-competitive country that often only rewards top winners and punishes those who fall short.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
If Boise State and SDSU both make it, that’s an extra $4 million minimum for the Mountain West.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
More is not necessarily better, as excess vitamin C is excreted in urine.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The parking plan requires the church to provide a shuttle bus to an overflow site to manage excess cars.—
Marie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But the new rules included a revision mandating that new rooftop solar customers will no longer be credited at the retail rate of electricity when their systems generated surplus energy.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But the path to income-tax repeal could actually be even simpler, by using surplus revenue to automatically reduce it over time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Early motorists often carried tools and spare parts, expecting breakdowns as part of the journey.—
Bill Gourgey,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
-
With stocks of spare parts running low domestically, Orest said that former Eastern Bloc countries, such as the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, were the most obvious places to turn for help.—
Michael Holtz,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For locals, these sheltered passages can also make surfacing almost unnecessary.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But their efforts are not enough to save this unnecessary sequel that smacks of a cash grab.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Superfluous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superfluous. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
