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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gratuitous
Even on his own terms, this rhetorical turn is gratuitous, because imagining a more measured version of Mishra’s argument is so easy.
—
Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
The nudity and those medical procedures is not gratuitous.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
The horror factor, however, takes a back seat when Ally and Jay share comically gratuitous moments of rom-com schmaltz.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
As Newman notes, the entire performance was gratuitous, since the customary domestic duties would have curtailed Mahler-Werfel’s composing anyway.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2025
The nudity and those medical procedures is not gratuitous.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
The horror factor, however, takes a back seat when Ally and Jay share comically gratuitous moments of rom-com schmaltz.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
As Newman notes, the entire performance was gratuitous, since the customary domestic duties would have curtailed Mahler-Werfel’s composing anyway.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The council said it's made a reasonable offer, that cuts would only affect a small number of jobs and the jobs being eliminated are unnecessary.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Apr. 2025
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Stay hydrated: Thirst can sometimes be mistaken for hunger, so drink enough water throughout the day to avoid unnecessary cravings.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Tornado Cash is comprised of immutable smart contracts and an optional user interface with enhanced privacy features, which the DOJ claims the developers controlled.—
Andrea Tinianow,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The other three graduated and were on optional practical training (OPT).—
Ashley Mahoney,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Thankfully, Saks Fifth Avenue makes larger purchases worth your while by offering complimentary standard shipping on orders of $300 or more with code FREESHIP.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
9 Apr. 2025
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On the sustainable front, Faherty has continued to double down through its usage of recycled and renewable fabrics, low-impact dyes and finishes, plastic-free packaging, renewable electricity in stores, complimentary repairs and keeping fabric scraps and products out of landfills.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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