SUPERNUMERARY Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

supernumerary 1 of 2

adjective

ˌsü-pər-ˈnü-mə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of supernumerary

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

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

Adjective

While Milwaukee started with its ace, Tampa Bay countered with Nick Martinez to give two-time All-Star pitchers Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta an extra day of rest.

— Steve Megaree, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
In Miami-Dade, apartment renters could find themselves on the hook for an extra $291 per year to pay off their landlords’ higher property tax bills.

— Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of extra

Adjective

China’s surging shipments are much more than just surplus production, the difference between what comes out of Chinese factories and what can be sold domestically in a sagging economy.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Arthur Richardson founded the company in 1947 to sell surplus military vacuum tubes to the fledgling television and radio industries.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of surplus

Adjective

The system combines molten salt reactors with thermal energy storage, allowing excess heat to be stored when electricity demand is low and used to generate additional power when demand increases.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Local governments across the country, saddled with debts, are also wary of spending as Beijing works to rein in local debt and excess capacity, Wang said.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

In the interview, Dornan spoke with his Hunt for Gollum costar Leo Woodall, who plays Halvard — a fellow Dúnedain ranger who travels with Strider — in the upcoming film.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2026
That would be Reality Bites costar Ben Stiller, who also made his feature directorial debut with the film.

— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of costar

Adjective

And spare furnishings spotlight craft—from the dining area’s custom walnut table to the stairwell’s Isamu Noguchi pendant.

— Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026
The agreement also includes 10 years of spare parts, modification kits, and international customer orders at a rate of 156 aircraft per year, according to a news release from Lockheed Martin.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of spare

Noun

JoJo Romero got two outs, Abner Uribe recorded two more and closer Trevor Megill pitched the last two innings, allowing an RBI double to Chandler Simpson with two outs in the ninth.

— Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
But Pratt remained confident at the plate for Milwaukee, hitting his own double for, yes, another two-out clutch hit to tie the game.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of double

Browse Nearby Words

supernumeraries

supernumerary

superordinate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of supernumerary

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes