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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
  • After spending the summer soaking in extra free time and waking up late, August is all about readjusting routines and schedules to get back into the school groove.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Basabe reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and took an extra base on a throwing error by catcher Eduardo Valencia.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • The reduction in walk-on opportunities is unfortunate, but scholarship opportunities have expanded in some sports.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Guests have direct, walk-on access to the non-drivable section of Daytona Beach.
    — Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of walk-on
Adjective
  • After years on a downward slope, surplus funds are paying down a pension debt accumulated over seven decades, the state’s rainy-day fund is full, state projects are receiving support, and the state’s credit was upgraded several times since 2020.
    — Elona Vaisnys, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The university opted for the equivalent of a yard sale, hosting two surplus sales, one around the mega outdoor hockey game against Michigan State in January and another the spring before the Blue-White football game.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 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
  • However, excess nitrogen can also cause crepe myrtles to produce lots of leaves and minimal flowers.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Keeping furry friends with the people who love them takes excess burdens off already overcrowded shelters and thus helps prevent suffering on both a human and animal level.
    — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of excess
Noun
  • When asked for a response to Brown’s claims on CBS Mornings, haircare expert Van Ness praised their costar for putting himself first.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
  • At the time of their meeting, Szymanski was working as a driver for her costar Hannah Waddingham.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of costar
Adjective
  • The company will manufacture new-build MK19 Mod 2 air turbine pump assemblies for the submarine fleet’s spare-parts inventory.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Fortunately, most vehicles come equipped with a spare, offering peace of mind when the unexpected happens.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • The Red Sox got within a run on a Masataka Yoshida RBI double.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Iván Herrera followed with an RBI double off of a Warren sinker, also to deep center field.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 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 10 Aug. 2026.

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