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
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
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
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
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
-
This year, extra pitfalls exist that could make taxpayers fumble and make a mistake on their tax return.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Qualifying for Europe’s elite competition will add to United’s payroll overheads, but the extra income from playing in it will more than offset that.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The production that the Texans received from a third-round pick surely was a feather in the cap for Liipfert, a former Georgia Tech walk-on linebacker who was promoted to assistant GM in 2025.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
His positive demeanor is understandable, as there’s plenty to smile about for the former North Texas walk-on who used to watch Shrine Bowl clips on YouTube.—
Ishmael Johnson,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Gulf sovereign funds were established to invest surplus oil revenues abroad and promote economic diversification at home.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Council members gave staffers approval to pursue the surplus land discussions with the state.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 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
-
Because of this, vitamin D toxicity also results in hypercalcemia (blood calcium levels above normal) and hypercalciuria (excess calcium in the urine).—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Cooking frozen vegetables directly helps prevent excess moisture from leaching out and keeps flavors concentrated.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The rooms The 219 rooms including 40 suites perfectly nail that balance of minimalism and luxury without seeming spare, or overly precious.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The spare ingredient list allows the bulb’s true flavor to shine through.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For a recent appearance on The View with costar Luke Thompson, Ha wore a blindingly white coat with an over-the-shoulder scarf.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The director/costar/producer/financier/head of the studio (yes all one person) had zero experience.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In doubles, the team of Lily Fairclough and Dani Borruel ranks sixth in the nation.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
-
No gymnast in the history of the Auburn program had performed a Yurchenko double until Bell did so in last Friday’s season opener.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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