gratuitously

American  

[gruh-too-i-tuhs-lee, -tyoo-] / grəˈtu ɪ təs li, -ˈtyu- /

adverb

1. without apparent reason, cause, or justification.

   The chase scene seems gratuitously thrown in for the sake of an action sequence.

2. without charge or payment; freely or voluntarily.

   Love is a spontaneous gift that cannot be earned—it is gratuitously given.

3. Law. without receiving any return value.

   The plaintiff must show that they will be forced to either hire someone to perform such household services or have someone perform them gratuitously.

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Other Word Forms

• nongratuitously adverb
• ungratuitously adverb

Etymology

Origin of gratuitously

gratuitous ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

“Not in the sense that you would ever vary a ruling, but in the sense that you don’t want to gratuitously offend.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Turns out the impetuous billionaire had gratuitously insulted Kelly after the senator had posted a long thread on X about his recent trip to Ukraine.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet her chronic issue is that she complains gratuitously, stacking her gripes into a wall so that even the people who want to help — a doctor, a dentist — give up.

From Los Angeles Times

Alicia Keys had just appeared, in a sequined red jumpsuit and matching encrusted gown, and rather gratuitously flubbed the opening note of her hit piano ballad “If I Ain’t Got You.”

From New York Times

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies called it an "absolutely appalling suggestion", telling the BBC's Politics Wales programme Mr Antoniw should "apologise and withdraw that gratuitously offensive tweet which he put out yesterday".

From BBC