needless

adjective

need·​less ˈnēd-ləs 

: not needed : unnecessary

needless waste

needlessly adverb

needlessness noun

Phrases

needless to say

: as is self-evident or to be expected

Synonyms

• dispensable
• gratuitous
• inessential
• nonessential
• uncalled-for
• unessential
• unnecessary
• unwarranted

Examples of needless in a Sentence

needless expenditures that pushed the construction project way over budget

Recent Examples on the Web

Optimizing For Performance: To guarantee AI can get the appropriate data at the appropriate moment without needless latency or expenses, scalable infrastructure and effective data distribution methods should be put in place. —Artyom Keydunov, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

After recent excursions that have felt lacking for various reasons — sub-optimal stage design (Hungary, 2022), distance from Italy (Jerusalem, 2018), and a needless trip to one of cycling’s existing heartlands (Netherlands, 2016) — Albania was a vast improvement. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Our worst nightmare is that weather forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life. —Louis Uccellini, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025

The Leafs were given a gift when Greig took a needless holding penalty early in the third period. —Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for needless

• heedless
• seedless

Kids Definition

needless

adjective

need·​less ˈnēd-ləs 

: unnecessary

needlessly adverb