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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Dissimilar Words
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Recent Examples of supernumerary
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 lightning-quick Maxey repeatedly got to the basket in the first half, but the Knicks continued to give him extra attention throughout his nearly 47 minutes of playing time.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
Ryan Pierce produced a two-run double in the sixth as Dundee-Crown (9-15, 1-12) overcame a five-run deficit in forcing extra innings.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Ballard, who started two games in 2023 after arriving as a walk-on, and Marshall, a dual-threat who led his Michigan high school to a state championship, are stylistically different but close friends competing for the top job.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
-
Aguilera, a 2008 Lake Central graduate who played softball at Evansville, has encouraged McCoy to be a walk-on for the Bulldogs, underscoring her esteem for McCoy’s talent.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, Perry made an even further impression with her ensemble, which included a long strapless gown and trailing cape made of Italian deadstock duchess satin that was repurposed from surplus tailoring fabrics.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
-
Many hospitals, airports and utility companies hold surplus land that can be leveraged to help address the affordable housing crisis.—
Ryan von Weller,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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
Adjective
-
The two open shelves offer versatile storage for bottles of booze (as the name implies), excess books, or serving-ware for your upcoming dinner party.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
6 May 2026
-
By taking this gradual approach, there is less organizational resistance and new innovation does not shock corporations – helping align internal resources without excess train.—
Anis Uzzaman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
With spare dialogue and sensitive visual storytelling, the film reveals a father’s shame, a child’s unwavering love, and the unspoken understanding between them.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2026
-
Critics of the treasury secretary’s approach argue that the problem is less about Americans not knowing how to invest and more about people not having enough spare income to do so, as the cost of living has steadily increased and the war in Iran has driven energy prices higher.—
Fatima Hussein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Lovato's Sonny with a Chance costar Tiffany Thornton, who lost her first husband, Chris Carney, in a December 2015 car accident, found love again with family friend and youth pastor Josiah Capaci.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Despite having a lot less screen time than his costars, he’s emerged as a fan favorite for his antics both on screen—which also earned him an Emmy last fall—and on social media.—
Wisdom Iheanyichukwu,
Vanity Fair,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Trojans won the doubles point only to lose all five of their singles matches to finish 5-1.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
Below, the lower deck is home to two doubles and two twins.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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