gratuitous
adjective
gra·tu·i·tous
| \ grə-ˈtü-ə-təs
, -ˈtyü-\
, -ˈtyü-\
Definition of gratuitous
1
: not called for by the circumstances : not necessary, appropriate, or justified : unwarranted
a gratuitous insult a gratuitous assumption a movie criticized for gratuitous violence
2a
: given unearned or without recompense
We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our own industry.— Roger L'Estrange
b
: costing nothing : free
It was printed in France at the author's expense, for gratuitous distribution to educators and others. — Current Biography
c
law
: not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration
has gratuitous permission to pass over private land
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of gratuitous in a Sentence
The film was criticized for its gratuitous violence.
they will throw in a gratuitous box of chocolates when you spend $30 or more in their shop
Recent Examples on the Web
That crime is the novel’s link to the conceit of the gratuitous. — Paul Elie, The New Yorker, "Sex and Power in “The Catholic School”," 19 Aug. 2019 His tariffs have caused gratuitous and serious damage to the US economy, the world economy and the global trading system. — Jeffrey Sachs For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, "China isn't the economic manipulator in this trade war. Trump is," 6 Aug. 2019 But plot is very nearly incidental to this novel; all of its real conviction lies in style, which is, in an age suspicious of ornament, defiantly baroque, studded with gratuitous beauties. — Garth Greenwell, The New Yorker, "Caleb Crain’s “Overthrow” and the Power of Literary Form," 28 Aug. 2019 But uncertainty caused by erratic policymakers is gratuitous. — Peter Baker, New York Times, "A Gyrating Economy, and Trump’s Volatile Approach to It, Raise Alarms," 23 Aug. 2019 In 1942 Joseph Goebbels scrambled to present the Baedeker raids, in which Nazi planes attacked historic British towns, as legitimate retaliation rather than gratuitous vandalism. — The Economist, "The vandalism of modern warfare," 18 July 2019 Let’s be honest: The governor’s and the Legislature’s actions were merely gratuitous partisan provocations against a president who is highly unpopular in deep-blue California. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Requiring Trump’s tax returns under California election law is just plain petty politics," 15 Aug. 2019 Hopefully, the rookie learns from this moment and doesn't inflict any more gratuitous hits on players. — Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, "Texans Rookie Cornerback Kicked Out of Joint Practice for Going Too Hard," 6 Aug. 2019 And in a fairly gratuitous side plot, Craig has a tumultuous romance going with working-class Londoner Zara (Sophia La Porta)—as in the multinational retail chain. — Judy Berman, Time, "Four Weddings and a Funeral," 24 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gratuitous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for gratuitous
gratuitous
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of gratuitous
formal
: not necessary or appropriate
See the full definition for gratuitous in the English Language Learners Dictionary
gratuitous
adjective
gra·tu·i·tous
| \ grə-ˈtü-ə-təs, -ˈtyü-
\
\
Legal Definition of gratuitous
: not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration — compare onerous
Keep scrolling for more