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
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Recent Examples of gratuitous
This was not going to be gratuitous.
—
Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Quentin Tarantino’s outrageous revisionist Western is wildly over-the-top, combining the director’s penchant for gratuitous violence and sparkling dialogue with a story that’s pleasingly labyrinthine but nothing if not schlocky.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Creator and host Eric André took the late-night talk show, a TV genre with all-too-familiar conventions, and twisted it beyond recognition with harrowing celebrity interviews, person-on-the-street stunts, jump-scare pranks, and gratuitous nudity.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
This gratuitous mill remains one of the great engine options in the sedan’s history.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Quentin Tarantino’s outrageous revisionist Western is wildly over-the-top, combining the director’s penchant for gratuitous violence and sparkling dialogue with a story that’s pleasingly labyrinthine but nothing if not schlocky.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Creator and host Eric André took the late-night talk show, a TV genre with all-too-familiar conventions, and twisted it beyond recognition with harrowing celebrity interviews, person-on-the-street stunts, jump-scare pranks, and gratuitous nudity.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
This gratuitous mill remains one of the great engine options in the sedan’s history.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gratuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gratuitous
Adjective
-
Ladipo says with a partnership with Common Goal, another national organization, their free inner-city soccer league, StationSoccer is the official player escort at the World Cup games in Atlanta.—
Chelsea Torres,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Rideshare / taxi services will not be permitted to drop off near Miami Stadium – all such vehicles will be directed to an offsite lot (more info below), and fans will be required to board a free shuttle bus.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
When miscarriage remains shrouded in secrecy and shame, people experience their loss and grief alone and, too often, in unnecessary fear.—
Dara Kass,
Time,
9 June 2026
-
If your goal is to spend less, eliminate unnecessary expenses and stay on top of recurring bills with minimal effort, Rocket Money is worth considering.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Zen Den runs under $2,000 for a week with meals included and offers optional life coaching add-ons.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
-
The program also includes two workshops with Marcello LaGreca focused on inner work, plus an optional Ayurvedic treatment by Dayna Holi.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The on-site Carriage House restaurant serves complimentary breakfast on a veranda overlooking a private beach.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
-
All stays come with daily breakfast, use of the resort bicycles, and wellness classes, along with complimentary Wi-Fi and parking (including EV charging stations).—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gratuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gratuitous. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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