as in extra
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
that large suitcase is unnecessary—we are only going to be away for a couple of days
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unnecessary
But Exelon utilities are spending at an accelerated — and unnecessary — pace that pushes rates and profits up.
—
David S. Lapp, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
This bill would help align Colorado’s pet marketplace with our values and reduce unnecessary suffering.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
Plus, Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA Oklahoma, advised drivers to accelerate, turn and brake gradually; use extra caution on bridges and overpasses; slow down to minimize the need to brake on icy roads; and avoid tailgating, using cruise control and making unnecessary lane changes.
—Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman, 25 Jan. 2026
Through clear communication concerning safety expectations, people can better enjoy their time without unnecessary stress or health concerns.
—Ethan Stone, Ascend Agency, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
David S. Lapp, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2026
This bill would help align Colorado’s pet marketplace with our values and reduce unnecessary suffering.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2026
Plus, Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA Oklahoma, advised drivers to accelerate, turn and brake gradually; use extra caution on bridges and overpasses; slow down to minimize the need to brake on icy roads; and avoid tailgating, using cruise control and making unnecessary lane changes.
—Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman, 25 Jan. 2026
Through clear communication concerning safety expectations, people can better enjoy their time without unnecessary stress or health concerns.
—Ethan Stone, Ascend Agency, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
-
This year, extra pitfalls exist that could make taxpayers fumble and make a mistake on their tax return.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Qualifying for Europe’s elite competition will add to United’s payroll overheads, but the extra income from playing in it will more than offset that.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
As pilot classes continue, the San Dieguito Union High School District board voted this month to continue offering ethnic studies as an optional ninth grade English course for students in the coming school year.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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At the same time, optional sensors can also be added to detect gases or measure external temperatures.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Absent reasonable testing thresholds, Sams contends, the sport invites needless controversy and imposes unnecessary hardship on its participants.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Blyth, needless to say, fits the bill.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
For example, in learning contexts, adaptive forgetting, or the ability to let go of irrelevant information, can actually improve cognitive performance overall.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Trump’s detractors may dismiss these bonds as empty or irrelevant.—
Daniel Yudkin,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Stretching the life of existing machines—adding modest upgrades where still affordable, delaying nonessential refreshes—can help ride out the worst of the supercycle, which some projections suggest may not normalize until 2027 or later.—
Tim Bajarin,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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The chain’s troubles were compounded during the COVID-19 pandemic when nonessential stores, such as fashion retailers, were closed as consumers were told to shelter in place.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But every so often, that cynicism is unwarranted.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2026
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The decline is unwarranted because Apple recently announced a promising AI partnership with fellow Club holding Alphabet .—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Advertisement The shortcomings of the Benedict-Sophie Cinderella story might have been easier to overlook if the side plots felt more vital and less redundant.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
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Other opponents said the bill is redundant, because there are already state and federal laws against non-citizens voting.—
Meghan O’Brien,
States Newsroom,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Takeoff is booster assisted, and landing is achieved with parachutes combined with dispensable airbags.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Nov. 2025
-
These children are cannon fodder, dispensable pawns in someone else’s war.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
13 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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