Gratuitous and Needed

Opposite meaning words

Gratuitous adjective - Not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end.

Usage example: that violent scene was completely gratuitous and didn't need to be in the movie at all

Show all Definitions

Needed is an antonym for gratuitous in topics: free, not necessary.

Nearby Words: gratuity, gratuitously

Needed adjective - Impossible to do without.

Show all Definitions

Gratuitous is an antonym for needed.

Nearby Words: need, needs, needy, needful, needing

Cite this Source

Needed and Gratuitous. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/gratuitous/needed

Gratuitous & Needed. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/gratuitous/needed>.

Needed or Gratuitous. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/gratuitous/needed.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "gratuitous" and "needed" have occurred on timeline