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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

supernumerary

2 of 2

noun

as in walk-on

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
  • The sink, for example, was part of an extra-long counter along one of the walls, offering plenty of extra room to stow my skincare and travel essentials.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 2026
  • People don't want to go around changing their Clocks anymore and, besides, far and away, most people like having an hour of extra sunlight in the evening, rather than in the morning.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • Pegg earns scholarship Hayden Pegg joined the UConn football program as a preferred walk-on in 2023.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Murray also had a connection with assistant quarterbacks coach Jordan Traylor, who was a walk-on at Texas A&M when Murray was a freshman.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of walk-on
Adjective
  • Earlier attempts to solve the problem have included adding surplus lithium or placing thick protective coatings on the electrode.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
  • According to Weiss Ratings, an independent financial research company, surplus lines carriers now account for 7% of the California home insurance market, up from 1% in 2021.
    — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 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
  • Economists and energy business experts say the oil companies would have to store the excess diesel for a while.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The project is interconnected with the Southern California Edison grid, meaning excess energy may be exported as well as allowing the parks to draw energy from the project when needed.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of excess
Noun
  • As Edie, the sister of one of Brando’s fellow dock workers who is murdered, Saint radiated a palpable chemistry with her costar, the characters’ burgeoning romance undeniable.
    — Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
  • His Clarissa costar Kehinde Cardoso had some rules of his own.
    — Paul Chi, Vogue, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of costar
Adjective
  • Rather than re-create New York, Hurwitz placed the dancers in a spare white studio, where light and shadow become something like scenery and his camera can move from overhead to eye level and back again.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • With Israeli bans on importing fuel, engine oil, and spare parts, breakdowns often become indefinite.
    — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of spare
Noun
  • The Category 1 Georgian double was most likely built by Richard Capers back in 1745.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Braves expanded their lead in the seventh inning against hard-throwing right-hander Edgardo Henriquez, who gave up a single to Olson and an RBI double to Harris.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of double

Browse Nearby Words

supernumeraries
supernumerary
superordinate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Supernumerary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/supernumerary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All