gratuitous

adjective

grə-ˈtü-ə-təs How to pronounce gratuitous (audio)
Definition of gratuitousnext
1
as in free
not costing or charging anything A local veterinary technician provides gratuitous services to the animal shelter twice a month.

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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

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 gratuitous But even some of them might balk at its callow psychology and interminably dull plotting that no amount of gratuitous, unengaging violence or nudity can overcome. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 Pivots into a black-and-white Brazilian telenovela, which Camilo tunes into nightly while on baby duty, feed into the film’s nesting-doll narrative on paper, but in practice make for annoyingly gratuitous flourishes. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026 Last month, Vance hurled himself into an obscure debate over burrito prices to make a gratuitous swipe at a conservative Washington Post columnist’s weight. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026 The same topics that would earn an adult novel praise as serious and important can be viewed as gratuitous or even irresponsible in Young Adult. — Rebecca Stafford, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
  1. free
  2. unnecessary
  3. optional
  4. complimentary
  5. costless
Adjective
  • Speed is now free, which means, for the first time in history, speed is worthless.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • However, the research does not establish that the new microcomb can independently provide GPS-free navigation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of free
Adjective
  • However, many medical experts and public health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reject these policies as unnecessary and ineffective.
    — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The process is intended to prevent unnecessary healthcare costs and limit unnecessary facilities.
    — Eva Flowe October 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of unnecessary
Adjective
  • Our tester featured available comforts such as premium audio, a surround-view camera system, and optional carbon bucket seats.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Expect clinicians to lean harder on body condition assessment, measured feeding and daily movement as standard of care rather than optional advice.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of optional
Adjective
  • Amenities and experiences True to the unhurried rhythm of the avenue, The Warbler provides a complimentary daily streetcar pass, one of the great pleasures of visiting and living in the Crescent City.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Sapphire Reserve offers complimentary subscriptions to both Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of complimentary
Adjective
  • The private office should name that plainly than suggest formalization is costless.
    — Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of costless

Browse Nearby Words

gratuities
gratuitous
gratuity
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Cite this Entry

“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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