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
-
That can range from an extra $5 for the same-day delivery of flowers to $20 for overnight chocolates.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The mayor’s office says the measure would provide additional tax revenue for the city and extra beds for visitors during the 2028 Summer Olympics, with the measure expiring at the end of that year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Hecht is a former walk-on who rose up the ranks in a K-State program known for churning out big, mean fellas.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The Senate Democratic leaders also noted that, based on state analysts’ revenue projections, the GOP plan would eliminate nearly all surplus funds in future years, potentially pushing state finances in deficit.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
25 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
-
Pointed leaf tips are actually an advantage in shady environments where excess water on leaves could lead to fungus problems.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Another Section 301 investigation related to industrial excess capacity, also launched in March, will see similar public hearings next week.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On that note, anyone have a spare million or two?—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
On-site assembly and integration of ITER project To manage technical risks, the project included a seventh spare module.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 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
-
Neto struck again in the second with an RBI double, and Adam Frazier added another in the four-run inning.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Western Michigan recruit goes 6-for-11 with eight runs, two doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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