supernumerary 1 of 2

adjective

ˌsü-pər-ˈnü-mə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce supernumerary (audio)
Definition of supernumerarynext
as in extra
being over what is needed a third, supernumerary witness to the signing of the will

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

supernumerary

2 of 2

noun

as in walk-on

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Dissimilar Words

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 supernumerary
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 The Lucid Air launched to supernumerary acclaim, boasting nearly four-figure horsepower and over 500 miles of range. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2023 Roboticists in Canada, from the Université de Sherbrooke, in Quebec, have been developing supernumerary robotic limbs that are designed to explore what humans can do with three arms, or even three legs. — Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Dec. 2020
Noun
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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for supernumerary
  1. extra
  2. walk-on
  3. surplus
  4. spear-carrier
  5. excess
  6. costar
  7. spare
  8. double
Adjective
  • That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.
    — Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Each extra year of training, for example, translates to $143,000 in additional annual income.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • The matter was not on the city’s agenda but was brought on as a walk-on item at the top of the meeting.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Tennis star Naomi Osaka shuts down the court with her walk-on outfit for her first-round match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on June 28 in London.
    — Brendan Le Updated, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of walk-on
Adjective
  • According to the report, the OpenAI’s proposal seeks to replicate the Alaska Permanent Fund, a sovereign wealth fund established in 1976 to invest the state’s surplus oil revenues.
    — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • In past deficit and surplus years alike, the council has declined to direct general fund dollars toward achieving their ambitious goal of eliminating traffic deaths.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of surplus
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
Definition of spear-carrier
Adjective
  • With more than 2,000 excess deaths recorded over six days at the peak of the June heat, according to health authorities, France’s cultural resistance to AC has started to soften.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • To prep the tofu, squeeze out excess water then cube or crumble it.
    — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 6 July 2026
Definition of excess
Noun
  • The brothers will also serve as executive producers, alongside former costar Lovato.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • The legendary comic’s last credit was the CBS series The Royal Family, which Murphy created and which reunited Foxx with his Harlem Nights costar Della Reese.
    — Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026
Definition of costar
Adjective
  • Morocco consistently found the spare man when working the ball across the pitch.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • The kit also comes with thoughtful extras, including a spare bulb, cable ties, a spring clip, and a solar panel for breezy installation.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • Beck hit 27 doubles, five triples, and 15 home runs last year.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Thomas had hit a leadoff double, but Michael Massey, Salvador Perez and John Rave failed to drive him in.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of double

Browse Nearby Words

supernumeraries
supernumerary
superordinate
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Cite this Entry

“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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