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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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
Mounted at a user's hips, a supernumerary robotic arm can do things like hold tools, pick apples, play badminton, and even smash through a wall, all while under the remote control of a nearby human.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
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
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
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
But the Honda Super Cub’s larger-than-life origin story and supernumerary achievements earn it entry into our list because this pint-sized scoot is nothing short of a two-wheeled legend.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
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
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
Mounted at a user's hips, a supernumerary robotic arm can do things like hold tools, pick apples, play badminton, and even smash through a wall, all while under the remote control of a nearby human.
—Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
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
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
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
But the Honda Super Cub’s larger-than-life origin story and supernumerary achievements earn it entry into our list because this pint-sized scoot is nothing short of a two-wheeled legend.
—Peter Jackson, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024
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
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
-
The front is modest, but the oval cutout in the back gives it extra flair.—
Claire Harmeyer,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
After quality time spent in the wilderness, the return to civilization is always extra special.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Butcher is a preferred walk-on, but he’s proven able to boot the ball a long way.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
30 July 2025
-
Big Ten Illinois: Hudson Clement, WR, West Virginia — Clement, a former walk-on who caught 51 passes for 741 yards in 2024, will need to be a primary target in a receiving corps that must replace departing seniors Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
If scholarship requests are not received, the surplus money is given to the department to buy unbudgeted items, Stanley said.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
-
It was later revealed that the surplus claim was based on revenue estimates that were wrong by $165 billion over four years, leading to multibillion-dollar budget deficits.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
An investigation into payroll accounts found no indication that any employee had received excess pay or benefits.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
25 July 2025
-
Transfer pieces to an airtight container or zip-top bag, squeezing out excess air.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
That means this one can be used as a storage shed and a hangout space, or even a spare garage for golf carts and riding mowers.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
20 July 2025
-
The sectional also comes with a matching ottoman—and yes, the lid lifts up, revealing hidden storage inside and doubling as spare seating, a side table, or a footrest.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 July 2025
Noun
-
Last week, as the costars posed on the red carpet at the film's London premiere, Anderson leaned up and gave Neeson a smooch on his cheek.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
-
In the snap, Lohan poses with costar Jamie Lee Curtis while wearing a metallic dress and smoky makeup look.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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