AUXILIARY Synonyms: 173 Similar and Opposite Words

auxiliary 1 of 2

adjective

ȯg-ˈzil-yə-rē

Definition of auxiliary

as in additional

available to supply something extra when needed the auditorium has an auxiliary cooling system used only on particularly sweltering days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

auxiliary

2 of 2

noun

as in subordinate

Related Words

as in cutter

Related 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 auxiliary

Adjective

In a statement, the company said that preliminary investigations showed that the fire broke out in an auxiliary process area and that the complex’s main equipment was not damaged. — ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 The researchers reported effective coloration with fewer auxiliary chemicals and said the medium could be recovered after dyeing. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Maše was part of the women’s auxiliary known as the Rebekahs. — Masha Hamilton, Longreads, 19 Feb. 2026 Using these unromantic, 50,000-ton auxiliaries to test the new battleship hull-form, mechanical systems or electrical innovations makes sense. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for auxiliary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for auxiliary

Adjective

The jury did convict Rosado of driving under the influence and he was sentenced to five years in prison, but Rosado has been behind bars on a $2 million bail since 2021 so won't have to serve any additional time.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
According to The New York Times, she was sentenced to life in prison, with two additional 30-year sentences to run consecutively with her life term.

— Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of additional

Noun

Many Hindus today identify as Shaivas, Vaishnavas, or Shaktas, sectarian groups that, respectively, worship Shiva, Vishnu, or Shakti as supreme, with all other deities considered as manifestations or subordinates.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
The judge found that the three did, in fact, violate the charter, which states that council members may not interfere with appointments or removals in the city manager’s office, or give orders to the city manager’s subordinates.

— Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of subordinate

Adjective

Each vacation rental unit can only have one agreement at a time, which is intended for properties that may have an accessory dwelling unit, Cortez said.

— Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026
Colorado also legalized accessory dwelling units statewide in 2024, letting homeowners build small backyard or garage apartments without needing a special hearing or approval.

— Solomon Greene, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of accessory

Noun

Guests in villas with families have the choice of booking a 24-hour caregiver and attendant who will help with everything from babysitting to ordering and serving meals or joining the family on excursions—for an extra fee.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
The footage appeared to show a male and female arguing with the attendant.

— Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of attendant

Noun

That led to the 1914 Trans-Antarctic Expedition aboard The Endurance, and the harrowing lifeboat journey to bring rescue to a crew that was stranded when the ship was crushed by ice.

— Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 July 2026
The crew aboard the vessel that was reportedly struck in the Strait of Hormuz Monday has abandoned the ship and are currently in a lifeboat, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said in an update early Tuesday local time.

— Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Definition of lifeboat

Adjective

The sleeping surface measures 82 inches (208 cm) long and is widened via slim supplementary cushions to 57 inches (145 cm) at the head by the doors, tapering to 50 inches (127 cm) at the foot between the wheel wells.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
In 2024, Purja became the fastest person to summit all 14 of the peaks without supplementary oxygen.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of supplementary

Noun

Wadsworth begins Clue as the seemingly subservient servant before gradually taking command of the entire picture.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of servant

Browse Nearby Words

auxiliaries

auxiliary

avail

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“Auxiliary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/auxiliary. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of auxiliary

adjective

noun

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