needless

adjective

need·​less ˈnēd-ləs 

: not needed : unnecessary

needless waste

needlessly adverb

needlessness noun

see also:

needless to say

Synonyms of needless

• unnecessary

Examples of needless in a Sentence

needless expenditures that pushed the construction project way over budget

Recent Examples on the Web

But administrative burdens are a technology of annoyance, degradation, discrimination, and needless extraction. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026

Still, the economic particulars underpinning this needless antagonism essentially are beside the point. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

The guess here is that the team doesn’t want to create any needless friction if Pastrnak is chosen over McAvoy or vice versa. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Hennepin County’s top prosecutor calls the interstate clash over Castro’s transfer a needless test of states’ duty to honor extradition — and of whether federal agents can evade accountability. — Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing needless

• needless to say

Rhymes for needless

• heedless
• seedless

Kids Definition

needless

adjective

need·​less ˈnēd-ləs 

: unnecessary

needlessly adverb