needless

adjective

need·​less ˈnēd-ləs How to pronounce needless (audio)
Synonyms of needlessnext
: not needed : unnecessary
needless waste
needlessly adverb
needlessness noun
see also:

Examples of needless in a Sentence

needless expenditures that pushed the construction project way over budget
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anthropic, perhaps needless to say, disagrees. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026 Nebraska has not, needless to say, been a destination job. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026 Which seems like the anxiety Chalamet was trying to express with his needless opera bashing. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026 Trusting the reader trims needless words. Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for needless

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of needless was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Needless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needless. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

needless

adjective
need·​less ˈnēd-ləs How to pronounce needless (audio)
needlessly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on needless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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