as in extra
being over what is needed
a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
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
Noun
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supernumerary
Adjective
-
The 40th release, however, marks the first time the brand has ever released a tequila—an extra añejo blend put together by a leading name in the agave spirits industry.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
-
However, that extra year of security is likely what Bader is looking for after declining the option.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, on the other sideline, Syracuse coach Fran Brown inexplicably started a true freshman walk-on from the lacrosse team, Joe Filardi, who completed four passes, then got pulled for another freshman, Luke Carney, who got sacked on his only dropback.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Oldest son Luke was a walk-on at Texas, and earned a scholarship after one season.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What stays with us is a sense not of impersonation but of surplus feeling.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
-
And finally, eliminating a requirement for surplus parking spaces allows more compact, efficient forms of development, which results in more walkable cities and more connected neighborhoods.—
Stefan Chavez-Norgaard,
The Conversation,
16 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
-
By contrast, the new project—bankrolled by Big Tech firms and crypto moguls—is one of excess and self-advertisement.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
-
While monthly payments tend to be lower, leases come with mileage limits — usually 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year — and may include fees for excess wear or mileage.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Turn on music or a podcast and fill a few spare minutes wiping down surfaces, dusting, or putting things away.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Their No 10s play close to Mateta and help to overload the defence — which is why Munoz and Mitchell can end up as the spare player at the back post — but rarely make incisive runs in the half-space to create cutbacks, in the move which Manchester City used so well to break down low blocks.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That month, the couple was spotted aboard a luxury yacht in Mallorca with Aniston's Horrible Bosses costar Jason Bateman, his wife Amanda Anka, and comedian Amy Schumer.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Aniston's Horrible Bosses costar Jason Bateman and his wife, Amanda Anka, were among the group.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The advertisement depicts Shipka as a normal woman who, after a stressful move into a new house, is haunted by a constant rotation of doomscrolling, late nights, and fatigue — represented by a monstrous double of herself.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
29 Oct. 2025
-
His first four at-bats culminated in two doubles and two home runs.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share