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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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
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 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 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
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
  • There have been scattered instances of athletes returning to their previous school for the extra season, including two LSU women’s soccer players who are part of the case.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The closure channeled extra traffic to and then backed up I-285 northbound on both sides of town from well before its two I-20 intersections.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • All else went without a hitch at the show, which also featured a walk-on from crown holders from years past.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Back in his days at Arizona, Cole had offered a walk-on spot to a young left-hander named Tarik Skubal.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of walk-on
Adjective
  • Washington wants surplus countries to reduce their surpluses by redistributing income to the household sector.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The battery will capture surplus solar electricity produced during daylight hours.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 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
  • The kidneys reabsorb the nutrients and excrete the excess or waste.
    — Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026
  • When oil prices are really high, oil companies can make a lot of excess profits.
    — Julia Simon, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of excess
Noun
  • Less than two weeks after the sudden death of her costar Hayden Panettiere, the Nashville actress posted an Instagram tribute to Dolly Parton following the country superstar’s death on Tuesday.
    — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In October 2025, Curry made another appearance in celebration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s 50th anniversary at a screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery alongside his costar, Barry Bostwick.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of costar
Adjective
  • India still relies on Russia for some weapons and spare parts, but Moscow’s capacity to balance China has diminished.
    — C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Before the Medicaid cuts passed, a huge lobbying campaign to spare hospitals didn’t stop the law — and the cuts in some ways became more severe as lobbyists pressed lawmakers to reel them back.
    — Daniel Payne, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • Tommy White hit an RBI double with two outs in the sixth and Donovan Walton added a run-scoring single, extending the lead to 4-0.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Angels lose to Guardians in extra innings José Ramírez drove in five runs with three doubles, Steven Kwan had five singles and the streaking Cleveland Guardians overcame an early five-run deficit to beat the Angels 8-6 in 10 innings Tuesday night.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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