Definitions

superfluous

[soo-pur-floo-uhs] / sʊˈpɜr flu əs /

ADJECTIVE

extra, unnecessary

Synonyms

STRONGEST

excessive expendable gratuitous redundant unneeded useless

WEAK

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

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reasonable useful

WEAK

important necessary needed

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.

Building another in an area close to the big Chinese military bases on Hainan seems superfluous.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

At the time, a Homeland Security spokesperson said the judge’s order was “unnecessary and superfluous given DHS’s medical policy goes above and beyond.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Even copies of years-old news articles are marred with superfluous redactions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Once again, artificial intelligence was at the center of the selloff, amid worries that software would be made superfluous by Anthropic’s Claude applications.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

His advice may have been superfluous, for when it was fully assembled, nine of the Lawrence panel’s twelve scientists were from Livermore.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Vocabulary lists containing superfluous

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Grade 11, List 1

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