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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
-
Our hearts are extra full this week 🥰 #DedicationNight featuring our stars’ special guests is TONIGHT - 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
-
For a little extra fiber in the morning, consider adding an apple to your meal to help get things moving.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On an evening that began with panic in USC’s backfield, the walk-on gave Riley reason to exhale amid the chaos.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Chad Powers was inspired by the real-life events of Eli going undercover at Penn State to try out as a walk-on quarterback during a 2022 episode of Eli's Places.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That leaves very little surplus capital with which to pursue regulatory adventures.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
-
To mark the opening, Chick-fil-A will donate $25,000 to the Tarrant Area Food Bank and join the company’s Shared Table program, which redistributes surplus food to local nonprofits.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Oct. 2025
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
Adjective
-
The gardener was removing excess leaves to give the tree a cleaner look, an attention to detail required at a nice hotel — The Grove — that’s been housing NFL teams since Aaron Glenn, now the New York Jets head coach, was still playing for the New Orleans Saints in 2008.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
These exfoliating acids works alongside glycerin and sorbitol to remove excess oils and refine congested pores to keep breakouts at bay without drying the skin.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Get rid of clutter in spare rooms, basements, and attics.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
-
If the Teslas were $7,500 cheaper, their spare nature would be a lot more palatable.—
Patrick George,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tessa Thompson has nothing but love and some, uh, interesting descriptors for her Thor costar Chris Hemsworth.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Con Tampa in September 2023 and April 2023's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, which coincided with costar Daniels' 96th birthday.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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