gratuitously

Everyday

1. Without a good reason, in a way that is unnecessary and often unkind or shocking: gratuitously rude. tree →
2. (formal, old) Free of charge, without payment. tree →

In the lessons

In reviews of films and books, «gratuitously violent» means there is more violence than the story needs. In ethics lessons it describes harm done for no reason, which makes it worse. Phrases: gratuitously cruel, gratuitously violent, gratuitously rude.

Examples

• The villain was gratuitously cruel to the animals. tree →
• The review said the film was gratuitously violent. tree →
• He was gratuitously rude to the waiter for no reason. tree →
• Don't use gratuitously long words in your essay. tree →
• Some games are criticised for being gratuitously gory. tree →

Note

Adverb of «gratuitous». Stress: gruh-TYOO-it-us-lee. Not linked to «gratitude». The «free of charge» sense is rare now; «gratuity» (a tip) keeps that idea.