SUPEREROGATORY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

supererogatory

adjective

ˌsü-pər-i-ˈrä-gə-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of supererogatory

as in extra

being over what is needed now that the dress code has been e-mailed to everyone and posted on our intranet site, a paper memo about it seems supererogatory

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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 supererogatory Precisely as Japan becomes a producer of Honda two-stroke engine motorcycles and other consumer distractions, Mishima is preoccupied with the glories of imperial Japan, revealed in the supererogatory sacrifices of its children. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 7 Sep. 2020 These supererogatory merits were at the disposal of the pope, who could, in effect, offer them for sale. — Marilynne Robinson, New Republic, 12 Dec. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for supererogatory

Adjective

An extra $6,000 or $29,000 in gains over a decade won’t replace a lost job.

— Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
In 2003, however, Kember made a splash with Forged Prescriptions, a re-release that favored fuller mixes and extra overdubs which the band had jettisoned owing to the difficulty of reproducing them.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of extra

Adjective

Batteries can also store excess electricity from hydropower, and New York is one of the top hydropower-producing states.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
The central bank is unlikely to step in unless countries comply with its excess deficit procedure, which states that the general government budget deficit must not exceed 3% of GDP.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of excess

Adjective

Arthur Richardson founded the company in 1947 to sell surplus military vacuum tubes to the fledgling television and radio industries.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Fernandez agreed to join the others on maintaining the city’s tax rate if households could receive a partial refund on their garbage fees from the city’s surplus funds.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of surplus

Adjective

My version consists of a Raspberry Pi and a handful of spare bits.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026
France's education ministry is in the process of urgently contacting around 3,000 spare teachers who could be sent to schools with the most pressing needs, often located in low-income areas, said Education Minister Edouard Geffray.

— Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of spare

Browse Nearby Words

supereminent

supererogatory

superexpensive

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“Supererogatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supererogatory. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of supererogatory

adjective

Example Sentences

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