: not needed : unnecessary
needless waste
needlessly
adverb
needlessness
noun
see also needless to say
Examples of needless in a Sentence
needless expenditures that pushed the construction project way over budget
Recent Examples on the Web
This, needless to say, was a formidable challenge.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Minnesota, even in its grief and trauma over the needless deaths of two of its citizens at the hands of the state, is managing to show that communication and negotiation are possible.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
The American people are beyond tired of the suffering, needless death and debt caused by our broken system.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, the two largest nuclear powers will be free to begin a new arms race, a needless competition that both nations have managed to avert for decades.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for needless
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.
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Minnesota, even in its grief and trauma over the needless deaths of two of its citizens at the hands of the state, is managing to show that communication and negotiation are possible.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
The American people are beyond tired of the suffering, needless death and debt caused by our broken system.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
On Thursday, the two largest nuclear powers will be free to begin a new arms race, a needless competition that both nations have managed to avert for decades.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for needless
Cite this Entry
“Needless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/needless. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
