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
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
In short, now is not the time for gratuitous technology tariffs on Taiwan and other friendly markets.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
The detractors see evidence of someone seduced by gratuitous violence deployed wantonly as a lowest common denominator appeal to an unevolved, bloodthirsty audience.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Arrogance and the gratuitous throwing of sharp elbows is not realism.
—Jonathan Kirshner, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2025
In short, now is not the time for gratuitous technology tariffs on Taiwan and other friendly markets.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
The detractors see evidence of someone seduced by gratuitous violence deployed wantonly as a lowest common denominator appeal to an unevolved, bloodthirsty audience.
—John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Arrogance and the gratuitous throwing of sharp elbows is not realism.
—Jonathan Kirshner, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
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Start your free trial of Fubo now to get started watching.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Call the Wild Flower Hotline, which provides free weekly updates on the best locations for viewing spring wildflowers in Southern and Central California.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Be prepared for a communication breakdown — text messages may not make it to the right person, your plans may get completely derailed and all that fiery energy might translate into unnecessary confrontations or snap decisions.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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Too often, redesigns happen simply for the sake of change — unnecessary, expensive and often worse than what came before.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ginger, black pepper, and orange juice are optional but carry greater health benefits when consumed together, said Jamie Mok, MS, RDN, a registered dietician and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
19 Mar. 2025
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With optional features such as skin tone, hair color, glasses, mustache, freckles and appropriate military branch uniform, the dolls can be ordered to look like the parent.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Go full butter with a complimentary tank top from Khaite.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
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The event also is scheduled to include complimentary food from more than 40 South Florida restaurants.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to gratuitous
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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