supplementary

adjective

ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tə-rē How to pronounce supplementary (audio)
Definition of supplementarynext
1
as in auxiliary
available to supply something extra when needed the teacher's edition of the textbook comes with a lot of supplementary material

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complementary
related to each other in such a way that one completes the other regards theology and philosophy as supplementary fields of study

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 supplementary In 2024, Purja became the fastest person to summit all 14 of the peaks without supplementary oxygen. — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 July 2026 Coverage is provided by Employees’ Health Insurance and National Health Insurance schemes; private insurance only plays a supplementary role. — Runchana Pongsaparn, Fortune, 31 July 2026 Natural Fertilizer Aside from conserving soil moisture, natural or pelleted wool also helps feed the soil and can be used as a supplementary fertilizer in organic gardens. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026 The supplementary motor area helps organise their sequence, and the primary motor cortex sends commands to the muscles of the trunk, shoulder, arm and wrist. — Michelle Spear, Scientific American, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for supplementary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supplementary
  1. auxiliary
  2. complementary
  3. additional
  4. reciprocal
  5. supplemental
  6. accessory
Adjective
  • Urán, an auxiliary magistrate of Colombia’s Council of State, was among the dead.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Weather data can be used to select cooling modes, which the company says cuts auxiliary power consumption during operation by 30% and standby consumption by 50%.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of auxiliary
Adjective
  • Admission to the inaugural event is complementary but tickets are required.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Rosalía and Loli Bahia might not be interested in matchy-matchy couples dressing, but their latest outing proves that contrasting wardrobes can be just as complementary.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of complementary
Adjective
  • Janelle King, one of four Republicans on the five-member board, said during a meeting Thursday that such a requirement would impose new burdens on county election officials, including possibly having to hire additional poll workers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Production capacity takes focus Meeting that demand will require more than securing additional orders.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of additional
Adjective
  • The United States and China released Monday reciprocal lists of products worth about $30 billion each that will see tariff cuts, in a deal expected to boost bilateral trade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In another list were Washington’s reciprocal tariff cuts for Chinese small appliances such as coffee makers and toasters, tableware, blankets and bed linens.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Adjective
  • The city’s financial participation agreement also includes a potential agreement to pay supplemental public safety costs related to the project for up to 15 years, according to city staff’s presentation.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • If Secord can’t take in enough calories or water, she may be placed in a medical habitat providing supplemental fluids, electrolytes and medication.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of supplemental
Adjective
  • The accessory lineup has become fairly standard across brands.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The back half-acre is described as technically developable, with plans showing potential for two accessory dwelling units.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of accessory

Browse Nearby Words

supplemental
supplementary
supplementation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supplementary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supplementary. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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