What is the antonym of “gratuitous”?
The antonyms of gratuitous are justified, warranted, and deserved. The antonyms imply that something is reasonable, necessary, or deserved.
Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Having a valid reason or explanation; reasonable or necessary.
Example
The company's decision to lay off employees was justified due to the economic downturn.
Authorized or justified by law, reason, or fact.
Example
The police officer had warranted cause to search the suspect's vehicle.
Earned or merited through one's actions or qualities.
Example
After years of hard work, she finally received the deserved promotion.
How are these antonyms different from each other?
- 1Justified implies that there is a valid reason or explanation for something.
- 2Warranted implies that something is authorized or justified by law, reason, or fact.
- 3Deserved implies that something is earned or merited through one's actions or qualities.
Good things to know
- 1Legal Context: Use warranted to describe actions that are authorized or justified by law.
- 2Business Context: Use justified to describe decisions that are reasonable or necessary.
- 3Personal Context: Use deserved to describe rewards or recognition that are earned through one's actions or qualities.
Remember this!
The antonyms of gratuitous are justified, warranted, and deserved. These words imply that something is reasonable, necessary, or deserved. Use these antonyms in legal, business, or personal contexts to describe actions that are authorized, decisions that are reasonable, or rewards that are earned.
