Definition of gratuitously in US English:
gratuitously
adverbɡrəˈt(j)uədəsliɡrəˈt(y)o͞oədəslē
1Without good reason; unjustifiably.
artifacts were gratuitously destroyed
gratuitously insulting remarks
Example sentencesExamples
- Artifacts too large to be carried away were gratuitously destroyed.
- Thankfully, the New York quartet don't share that band's annoying tendency to gratuitously swear like petulant third-graders.
- This was a misinformed and gratuitously insulting attack.
- It's not a smart move to gratuitously antagonise a welterweight boxing champ.
- The government is increasingly accepting stress as an illness and as a result it is repeatedly and gratuitously used as an excuse for society to hide behind.
- Why you should gratuitously offend a substantial part of your readership is beyond me.
- In real diplomacy you don't gratuitously insult allies you might need in the future.
- She now regrets gratuitously slating other creative people.
2Free of charge.
his care was provided gratuitously
Example sentencesExamples
- Liability for negligent advice is imposed irrespective of whether it is given gratuitously.
- The services of the laboratory are offered gratuitously to any scientist or graduate student engaged in research which makes a significant contribution to progress in the fields of science.
- Bread was given away gratuitously by a vendor who was left with scores of hard dough he was unable to sell.
- They are appointed by the government and give their services gratuitously.
- He described Gueret's views as a "full-frontal, hypocritical, misinformed and gratuitously insulting attack".
- They offered information to the court gratuitously, just to help the court avoid error.
- He gave his services gratuitously.
- State Education was entirely free; and all school equipment was gratuitously supplied.