Antonyms of adj gratuitous

3 senses of gratuitous

Sense 1
gratuitous -- (without cause; "a gratuitous insult")

INDIRECT (VIA unmerited) -> merited, deserved -- (properly deserved; "a merited success")

Sense 2
complimentary, costless, free, gratis (predicate), gratuitous -- (costing nothing; "complimentary tickets"; "free admission")

INDIRECT (VIA unpaid) -> paid -- (marked by the reception of pay; "paid work"; "a paid official"; "a paid announcement"; "a paid check")

Sense 3
gratuitous, needless, uncalled-for -- (unnecessary and unwarranted; "a strikers' tent camp...was burned with needless loss of life")

INDIRECT (VIA unnecessary) -> necessary -- (absolutely essential)

Similarity of adj gratuitous

3 senses of gratuitous

Sense 1
gratuitous -- (without cause; "a gratuitous insult")
       => unmerited (vs. merited) -- (not merited or deserved; "received an unmerited honorary degree")

Sense 2
complimentary, costless, free, gratis (predicate), gratuitous -- (costing nothing; "complimentary tickets"; "free admission")
       => unpaid (vs. paid) -- (not paid; "unpaid wages"; "an unpaid bill")

Sense 3
gratuitous, needless, uncalled-for -- (unnecessary and unwarranted; "a strikers' tent camp...was burned with needless loss of life")
       => unnecessary (vs. necessary), unneeded -- (not necessary)