1
as in free
not costing or charging anything
A local veterinary technician provides gratuitous services to the animal shelter twice a month.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unnecessary
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
that violent scene was completely gratuitous and didn't need to be in the movie at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gratuitous
Others have been mired in gratuitous nostalgia (Obi-Wan Kenobi), left lost in the weeds with fan-favorite characters (Ahsoka), or a bad combination of both (The Book of Boba Fett).
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
This was the superfluous lie, the gratuitous lie—the lie that did not need to be told but was told only as a demonstration of power.
—
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Was the mention of Louise gratuitous?
—
Dan Chiasson,
The New York Review of Books,
22 Apr. 2026
This was not going to be gratuitous.
—
Shyla Watson,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
This was the superfluous lie, the gratuitous lie—the lie that did not need to be told but was told only as a demonstration of power.
—
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Was the mention of Louise gratuitous?
—
Dan Chiasson,
The New York Review of Books,
22 Apr. 2026
This was not going to be gratuitous.
—
Shyla Watson,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
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Seating is first come, first served, with free parking (using their QR code) in the Midtown Promenade shared lot.
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In addition, the Ultimate Fan Tier includes offline viewing and access to the Crunchyroll Game Vault, which offers free games and other premiums.
Adjective
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The company believes separating trim functions from full system startup could improve convenience and reduce unnecessary power use.
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Increasing staff at medical facilities during heat waves could also prevent unnecessary deaths.
Adjective
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The company is selling highly customizable electric vehicles that come with few standard features, but plenty of optional add-ons.
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An optional passenger display also makes its debut on the BMW X5.
Adjective
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The Omni’s rooftop pool bar offers complimentary admission for hotel guests, with a limited number of day passes available during the summer for everyone else.
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The company focuses on customization, made-to-order production, and flexible bridal designs, including convertible dresses that allow brides to transform their look throughout the day, while offering complimentary custom sizing and international shipping.
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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