as in extra
being over what is needed
a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in walk-on
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Recent Examples of supernumerary
Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 30 Mar. 2023
One of West Hartford’s earlier patrol officers, Martin McCue, started as a part-time supernumerary in 1929 and became a full-time officer a year later.
—Don Stacom, courant.com, 12 Nov. 2020
As reported by ITV News, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Felipe VI of Spain are being invested as supernumerary, or Stranger Knights of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth in this year's ceremony.
—Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 June 2019
Aside from work and travel, Mrs. Gradet was an extra — or supernumerary — in several productions of the Baltimore Opera, along with her husband and children.
—Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 20 May 2018
Broken into six-hour installments spaced out over two weeks, the hallucinatory concert extravaganza is being custom tailored, with local musicians, guest artists and glittery supernumeraries brought in for the occasion.
—Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 14 Mar. 2018
History will be merciless to them, but how much fun to watch them reduced to thunderstruck supernumeraries in real time.
—Frank Rich, Daily Intelligencer, 13 Sep. 2017
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Mounted at a user's hips, a supernumerary robotic arm can do things like hold tools, pick apples, play badminton, and even smash through a wall, all while under the remote control of a nearby human.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
That’s quite a bit of digitalization for a car that proudly clings to such a traditionalist trope as a supernumerary cylinder count; even Ferrari’s new range-topping, $3.9 million F80 hybrid sports only six cylinders.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025
The supernumerary robotic leg is more autonomous, able to assist with several different human gaits at a brisk walk and add as much as 84 watts of power.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
Victoria Petrovich’s set was minimal but useful, but some of Rosie Glen-Lambert’s direction struck me as wrong-headed, nowhere more so than in a supernumerary robot’s contemplation of male reproductive parts.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024
But the Honda Super Cub’s larger-than-life origin story and supernumerary achievements earn it entry into our list because this pint-sized scoot is nothing short of a two-wheeled legend.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The Lucid Air launched to supernumerary acclaim, boasting nearly four-figure horsepower and over 500 miles of range.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2023
Biopsy and excision of this mass confirmed the presence of a functional supernumerary nipple.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2017
Adjective
Scenes are often crowded with supernumeraries.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 30 Mar. 2023
One of West Hartford’s earlier patrol officers, Martin McCue, started as a part-time supernumerary in 1929 and became a full-time officer a year later.
—Don Stacom, courant.com, 12 Nov. 2020
As reported by ITV News, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Felipe VI of Spain are being invested as supernumerary, or Stranger Knights of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth in this year's ceremony.
—Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 June 2019
Aside from work and travel, Mrs. Gradet was an extra — or supernumerary — in several productions of the Baltimore Opera, along with her husband and children.
—Christina Tkacik, baltimoresun.com, 20 May 2018
Broken into six-hour installments spaced out over two weeks, the hallucinatory concert extravaganza is being custom tailored, with local musicians, guest artists and glittery supernumeraries brought in for the occasion.
—Charles McNulty, latimes.com, 14 Mar. 2018
History will be merciless to them, but how much fun to watch them reduced to thunderstruck supernumeraries in real time.
—Frank Rich, Daily Intelligencer, 13 Sep. 2017
Noun
This is not the pruning of a smattering of supernumerary employees, these are entire branches of the CDC felled.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Mounted at a user's hips, a supernumerary robotic arm can do things like hold tools, pick apples, play badminton, and even smash through a wall, all while under the remote control of a nearby human.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
That’s quite a bit of digitalization for a car that proudly clings to such a traditionalist trope as a supernumerary cylinder count; even Ferrari’s new range-topping, $3.9 million F80 hybrid sports only six cylinders.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2025
The supernumerary robotic leg is more autonomous, able to assist with several different human gaits at a brisk walk and add as much as 84 watts of power.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
Victoria Petrovich’s set was minimal but useful, but some of Rosie Glen-Lambert’s direction struck me as wrong-headed, nowhere more so than in a supernumerary robot’s contemplation of male reproductive parts.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2024
But the Honda Super Cub’s larger-than-life origin story and supernumerary achievements earn it entry into our list because this pint-sized scoot is nothing short of a two-wheeled legend.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
The Lucid Air launched to supernumerary acclaim, boasting nearly four-figure horsepower and over 500 miles of range.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2023
Biopsy and excision of this mass confirmed the presence of a functional supernumerary nipple.
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 5 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supernumerary
Adjective
-
Superintendent Myriam Rogers said a union poll showed more teachers wanted to have a half-day on Thanksgiving than an extra day in the school year.—
Racquel Bazos,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The biggest advantages for me are eliminating an extra device to carry, and the price: satellite messaging is free for two years after the activation of the phone.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In that matchup, backup KU QB Cole Ballard (then a third-string walk-on) led Kansas back from a 13-0 deficit ... but Texas Tech kicked a game-winning field goal.—
Kellis Robinett,
Kansas City Star,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The 4-star prospect from Jacksonville Mandarin even recently worked with the first-team offense, along with Louisville transfer Harrison Bailey and redshirt sophomore Aidan Warner, a former walk-on who starred at Winter Park High.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But one of the new 100 startups that the surplus engineers create may become the next OpenAI.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The mayor’s recommendation to the City Council asks council members to waive the requirement that surplus land first be circulated for review by all city departments to decide whether there is another municipal use for the property before seeking to offer it for commercial lease.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
These excess nutrients, plus stagnant water and warm temperatures all seem to increase the frequency of toxic algal blooms, according to Lake Monroe’s watershed management plan.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Surgical options may be considered if conservative treatments do not provide sufficient relief, including the repair of affected structures or the drainage of excess fluid.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
So often, as for the opener in the Champions League final, one of PSG’s full-backs becomes the spare, untracked player in the box.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Your 5-year-old son will find the box full of Sharpies and decide to redecorate your spare bedroom, an hour before your in-laws arrive for a week’s visit.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Purple Rain actress claims her late costar's estate is trying to cancel her applications for the name's trademark.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Covino and Marvin end up winning either way, though its their costars who really push this comedy past the finish line.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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