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

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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

In the same stadium where Michigan was given an extra second in a controversial win over Western Michigan, the Iowa Hawkeyes took full advantage of having one more snap with two ticks on the clock.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
The suites are smaller but just as carefully done, good for couples who'd rather spend the room budget on a spa treatment or an extra round of golf.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of extra

Noun

Murray also had a connection with assistant quarterbacks coach Jordan Traylor, who was a walk-on at Texas A&M when Murray was a freshman.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson also had a one-night, walk-on role in the musical.

— Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of walk-on

Adjective

Earlier attempts to solve the problem have included adding surplus lithium or placing thick protective coatings on the electrode.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
According to Weiss Ratings, an independent financial research company, surplus lines carriers now account for 7% of the California home insurance market, up from 1% in 2021.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of surplus

Adjective

Brain problems such as stroke or excess fluid can show up too, along with musculoskeletal issues like disc disease or joint damage.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
The scans also spot fatty liver, gallstones and kidney cysts, brain conditions such as stroke or excess fluid, and musculoskeletal issues like disc disease or joint problems.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of excess

Noun

Ahead, Bélanger details Reinhart’s transformation, how hair furthers the stories of both her character and costar Tom Bateman’s, and gives us a glimpse of the happenings behind the scenes.

— Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026
Reinhart, also a producer on The Love Hypothesis, had nothing but praise for Bateman as a costar.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of costar

Adjective

An unremarkable meal, or a conversation that fills 10 spare minutes rarely feels consequential on its own.

— Justin Vaughn, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
This Enterprise's prime directive is war rather than exploration, with a bridge crew who carry phasers as standard, and see this ship from the past as a potential source of spare parts.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of spare

Browse Nearby Words

supernumeraries

supernumerary

superordinate

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Style

“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of supernumerary

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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