supernumerary 1 of 2

adjective

ˌsü-pər-ˈnü-mə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce supernumerary (audio)
Definition of supernumerarynext
as in extra
being over what is needed a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

supernumerary

2 of 2

noun

as in walk-on

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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 supernumerary
Adjective
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 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 Roboticists in Canada, from the Université de Sherbrooke, in Quebec, have been developing supernumerary robotic limbs that are designed to explore what humans can do with three arms, or even three legs. — Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
Noun
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supernumerary
  1. extra
  2. walk-on
  3. surplus
  4. spear-carrier
  5. excess
  6. costar
  7. spare
  8. double
Adjective
  • Slovan Bratislava With an extra-time win against Celje of Slovenia last month to clinch qualification, Slovan had lost just one competitive game out of 18.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The extra attention may have helped push the song to the top, but the way two programs presented Swift's appearances left some fans feeling bamboozled.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • In order to truly understand the college walk-on process, Manning transformed into Powers by using skin and hair prosthetics — which resemble Powell’s portrayal of the character — and signed up for the real Penn State football tryouts.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The grandeur and creative spirit of New York has prompted Osaka to do more than just a walk-on outfit for this tournament.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of walk-on
Adjective
  • South Africa has seemingly overcome its electricity crisis, with the country’s power utility, Eskom, reporting a power surplus during the winter peak-demand season, but civil society groups are wary of the surplus power being sold to data centers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Washington wants surplus countries to reduce their surpluses by redistributing income to the household sector.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of surplus
Noun
  • Simpson emerged as a spear-carrier for Social Security benefit cuts in 2010, when he was appointed the GOP co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, established by Barack Obama as a sop to conservative deficit hawks.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of spear-carrier
Adjective
  • Novo Nordisk currently reuses some process water in cooling towers, where the water helps remove excess heat before eventually evaporating.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The company does, though, sell a scarf called Tulipomanie, covered in frilly blooms of an exquisiteness that seems to rebut the charge of excess hype with a wink.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of excess
Noun
  • Bettany and costar James Spader, returning as the villainous AI Ultron, kicked off Marvel's presentation at Disney's D23 fan convention last month.
    — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • DeVito hopes to finally reunite on the big screen with his Twins costar Arnold Schwarzenegger.
    — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of costar
Adjective
  • Critics of his efforts argue that the problem is less about people not knowing how to invest and more about them not having enough spare income to do so.
    — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The original plan was for the rest of the Beatles to contribute, but during the three-and-a-half-hour session, the group struggled to find parts that improved upon McCartney’s spare arrangement.
    — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • Ramirez had three doubles in becoming the 13th player with five extra-base hits in a game.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Hernandez followed with his second double, this one to center against Royals left-hander Connor Thomas, to score Conine for a 7-6 Marlins lead.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of double

Browse Nearby Words

supernumeraries
supernumerary
superordinate
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Cite this Entry

“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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