supplemental

adjective

sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsə-plə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce supplemental (audio)
Synonyms of supplementalnext
1
: serving to supplement
2
: nonscheduled
a supplemental airline
supplemental noun

Synonyms of supplemental

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Examples of supplemental in a Sentence

She receives a supplemental income every month from the government. the new program will provide supplemental health insurance to thousands of workers
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Always feel the soil to determine whether supplemental water is necessary. — Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 Advantage members could still face higher premiums, copayments, and other costs, along with reduced supplemental benefits such as dental, hearing and vision coverage. — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Federal filings and reports note that supplemental public security and agency support will ultimately cost taxpayers between $10 million and $12 million. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 Teachers need stronger supplemental materials, particularly for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. — Evan Stone, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supplemental

Word History

Etymology

supplement entry 1 + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supplemental was in 1605

Rhymes for supplemental

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Browse Nearby Words

supplement
supplemental
supplemental irrigation
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Cite this Entry

“Supplemental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supplemental. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

supplemental

adjective
sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsəp-lə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce supplemental (audio)
: serving to supplement : supplementary

Legal Definition

supplemental

adjective
sup·​ple·​men·​tal ˌsə-plə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce supplemental (audio)
: serving to complete or make an addition
supplemental appropriations
specifically : of, relating to, or being a supplemental pleading
supplemental noun
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