supererogatory
- adjective
- /ˌsuːpərɪˈrɒɡəˌtɔːri/
- Formal
:
supererogatorio
- Offering to help colleagues with their projects is often seen as supererogatory, especially when it is not part of one's job description.
Examples
-
A related problem with 4) is that it conflicts with some ways of spelling the idea of supererogatory actions.
Blog text (5) -
I don't think supererogatory behavior is a requirement for basic human interaction, nor should it be.
Blog text (23) -
Clearly supererogatory.
Blog text (15) -
Volunteering at the shelter every Sunday is a supererogatory act that goes beyond what is expected of her.
-
His decision to donate his bonus to charity was a supererogatory gesture that made a big difference in the community.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
More than is needed or expected
77
4.1
More than needed or wanted
49
5.1
More than needed and not useful because it repeats something
22
7.0
More than what is needed or useful
1
3.4
More than what is needed or wanted
1
9.0
More than the usual or needed number
1
5.8
More than is needed or wanted
1
8.4
Much more of something than is needed
Antonyms
How Obligatory
239
3.8
- Formal
27
5.3
- Formal
180
3.7
99
3.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
supererogatory = supererogate (semi-transparent) = super + erogate + ory
Formed by adding the adjective-forming suffix '-ory' to the verb 'supererogate'; the structure is regular but the verb is rare and thus not fully transparent to average learners.
Etymology
The word supererogatory comes from Latin parts super- ('above') and erogare ('to pay out' or 'give more than asked'). So, supererogatory originally meant giving extra beyond what was required and today it means doing more than is required or expected.