unnecessarily

adverb

un·​nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌən-ˌne-sə-ˈser-ə-lē 

: not by necessity : to an unnecessary degree

unnecessarily harsh criticism

Examples of unnecessarily in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tips for driving in construction zones in California The California Department of Transportation offers these tips to drive safely in work zones and avoid tickets: Don’t change lanes unnecessarily. —Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025

These run the gamut from basic and budget-friendly to ultra (almost unnecessarily) fancy. —Kayla Blanton, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025

However, critics point out weak eligibility criteria that may extend coal-plant lifetimes unnecessarily and may prolong the dilemma, not rectify it. —Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Taxpayers should consult with tax and immigration attorneys to weigh VDP risks carefully, choosing advisors who will not exploit taxpayer fears and inflate the threats unnecessarily. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unnecessarily

• extraordinarily
• hereditarily
• pecuniarily
• preliminarily
• airily
• caroli
• merrily
• verily
• warily
• wearily
• arbitrarily
• customarily

Kids Definition

unnecessarily

adverb

un·​nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌən-ˌnes-ə-ˈser-ə-lē 

1

: not by necessity

spent money unnecessarily

2

: to an unnecessary degree

an unnecessarily harsh punishment