Synonyms of supernumerary

supernumerary 1 of 2

adjective

ˌsü-pər-ˈnü-mə-ˌrer-ē 

as in extra

being over what is needed

a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will

Synonyms & Similar Words

• extra
• surplus
• excess
• spare
• additional
• unwanted
• redundant
• superfluous
• unnecessary
• supplementary
• supererogatory
• supplemental
• ample
• accessory
• unessential
• dispensable
• extraneous
• unneeded
• needless
• nonessential
• copious
• abundant
• bountiful
• plentiful
• gratuitous
• uncalled-for
• plenteous
• de trop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• scanty
• short
• insufficient
• deficient
• inadequate
• scant
• scarce
• sparse
• poor
• meager
• skimpy
• shortish

supernumerary

2 of 2

noun

as in walk-on

Related Words

• walk-on
• extra
• spear-carrier
• coactor
• monologuist
• costar
• double
• star
• actress
• leading man
• leading lady
• understudy
• prima donna
• starlet
• lead
• scene-stealer
• entertainer
• thespian
• performer
• enactor
• farceur
• comedian
• actor
• trouper
• barnstormer
• impersonator
• player
• mummer
• thesp

Dissimilar Words

• novice
• amateur
• nonprofessional
• nonactor

Example Sentences

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