supererogatory

[soo-per-uh-rog-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˌsu pər əˈrɒg əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

ADJECTIVE

superfluous

Synonyms

WEAK

abounding de trop dispensable excess excessive exorbitant expendable extra extravagant extreme gratuitous in excess inessential inordinate lavish leftover needless nonessential overflowing overmuch pleonastic profuse redundant remaining residuary spare superabundant superfluent supernumerary surplus unasked uncalled-for unneeded unrequired unwanted useless

ADJECTIVE

wanton

Synonyms

WEAK

capricious changeable devil-may-care extravagant fanciful fickle fitful fluctuating free frivolous gratuitous heedless hot-and-cold immoderate inconstant intemperate lavish outrageous prodigal profuse rash reckless spendthrift spoiled supererogative thriftless uncalled-for unfettered unreserved unrestrained up and down variable volatile wasteful whimsical wild

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When I’m feeling especially Muslim, I stop by the mosque for a free plate of food, and the supererogatory Ramadan evening prayer called Taraweeh.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2020

For this, Johnson King introduced me to the term supererogatory, which describes moral acts that are “above and beyond” the call of duty.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2019

Practically, the necktie is as supererogatory as those little belts and buckles that used to adorn the backs of men's trousers.

From Time Magazine Archive

What can a director do with such supererogatory skimble-scamble?

From Time Magazine Archive

"Nothing," said Shelley, "can be equally well expressed in prose that is not tedious and supererogatory in verse."

From Personality in Literature by Scott-James, Rolfe Arnold

Vocabulary lists containing supererogatory

Power Prefix: super-

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Babbitt

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