supernumerary 1 of 2

adjective

ˌsü-pər-ˈnü-mə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce supernumerary (audio)
Definition of supernumerarynext
as in extra
being over what is needed a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

supernumerary

2 of 2

noun

as in walk-on

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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
  1. extra
  2. walk-on
  3. surplus
  4. spear-carrier
  5. excess
  6. costar
  7. spare
  8. double
Adjective
  • Jones, who is from Boise, Idaho, learned about a program through his internship supervisor that connects people with extra rooms in their homes with other adults looking for a place to live.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Style them with an essential tee and their sharp, pointed Maelle pumps for an extra dose of attitude.
    — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • All else went without a hitch at the show, which also featured a walk-on from crown holders from years past.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Back in his days at Arizona, Cole had offered a walk-on spot to a young left-hander named Tarik Skubal.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of walk-on
Adjective
  • Unless more water is conserved, the reservoirs that have stored surplus water over the decades could shrink to the point that only the water that naturally flows into the river each year would be released downstream.
    — Sarah Porter, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Critics argue such arrangements force consumers to pay for surplus electricity, although Manga said such guarantees were necessary to secure financing for capital-intensive projects.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of surplus
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
Definition of spear-carrier
Adjective
  • The best ones had multiple pockets, removable mesh pouches, and elastic loops to hold products in place and protect them from excess impact.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026
  • For instance, excess ions fail to enter the graphite quickly enough and form performance-degrading metallic deposits on the surface (lithium plating).
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of excess
Noun
  • Less than two weeks after the sudden death of her costar Hayden Panettiere, the Nashville actress posted an Instagram tribute to Dolly Parton following the country superstar’s death on Tuesday.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In October 2025, Curry made another appearance in celebration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s 50th anniversary at a screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery alongside his costar, Barry Bostwick.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of costar
Adjective
  • That’s a sentiment shared by Akshay Ruparelia, co-founder of startup Brdge, who believes the most valuable thing a sharp person can do with spare capacity is think, and that this is a resource companies should be desperate for.
    — Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The rising sophomore from Toronto, who hopes to attend medical school, started studying for his organic chemistry class during any spare moment during his job at the Hospital for Sick Children.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • Tommy White hit an RBI double with two outs in the sixth and Donovan Walton added a run-scoring single, extending the lead to 4-0.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Angels lose to Guardians in extra innings José Ramírez drove in five runs with three doubles, Steven Kwan had five singles and the streaking Cleveland Guardians overcame an early five-run deficit to beat the Angels 8-6 in 10 innings Tuesday night.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of double

Browse Nearby Words

supernumeraries
supernumerary
superordinate
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Cite this Entry

“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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