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
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
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
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
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 final dish is creamy, rich, and cheesy—extra cheesy even!—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
-
Together the pair had celebrated by planting a Barcelona flag in the middle of the pitch, a moment and an image that has taken on extra significance since Xana’s death six years ago.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
Only one quarterback remains on the roster from last season, and that’s walk-on Jackson Stratton, who began the year as a fifth-teamer only to start two games after injuries took out four other quarterbacks.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
Mike Noyes of Granby, a high-IQ walk-on who eventually earned a scholarship during the Kevin Ollie era, is an assistant coach/director of player development.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
The surplus Newsom extolled, however, was an illusion.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
22 May 2025
-
Carpentersville will fund the purchase and other work needed for the site using money in its surplus general fund budget, according to documents.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
For organizations trying to get a step ahead, garments can be pre-ordered, giving organizations flexibility without fear of having excess inventory, all without any of the hassle that would usually come alongside such an endeavor.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
-
Since late last year, one third of his suppliers, saddled with excess inventory in China, have offered steep discounts of up to 70%.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Make a Statement with Lighting With its midcentury table, Lucite chairs, and bare white walls, the Kells' dining room is quite spare and restrained—all the better to show off a chandelier with a rainbow of glass teardrops.—
Amy Panos,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2025
-
Given the wind in the sails of Right to Repair, Andrew and Stephanie and repairers and consumers in the EU and beyond may find sourcing such a spare part soon becomes less treasure hunt and more speedy reality.—
Nick Nuttall,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
After dodging several audience questions about an Office reboot during his opening monologue-turned-Q&A, Carell started getting peppered with resentful recriminations from his own former costars.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
29 May 2025
-
Jackman has been romantically linked to his former Music Man costar, Sutton Foster, 50, since January 2025, after the pair were snapped holding hands while stepping out for dinner in Santa Monica, Calif.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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