unnecessary

adjective

un·​nec·​es·​sary ˌən-ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē 

: not necessary

took unnecessary precautions

Synonyms of unnecessary

• extra
• optional
• needless
• irrelevant
• nonessential
• unwarranted
• redundant
• dispensable

Examples of unnecessary in a Sentence

In this city, owning a car is unnecessary.

Let's not take any unnecessary risks.

Recent Examples on the Web

The cherry on top is a modular battery system that helps riders reduce unnecessary weight by matching battery capacity to their actual needs. — Matt Alderton, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

But those meds often include extra unnecessary ingredients that can sometimes put you at risk of accidentally overmedicating yourself, says Reed. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026

The finding adds to concerns that the mandatory screening announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July will lead to a cascade of unnecessary medical evaluations for military members. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026

However, many medical experts and public health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reject these policies as unnecessary and ineffective. — Emily J. C. Wong, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unnecessary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

Kids Definition

unnecessary

adjective

un·​nec·​es·​sary ˌən-ˈnes-ə-ˌser-ē 

ˈən-

: not necessary