unnecessarily

adverb

un·​nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌən-ˌne-sə-ˈser-ə-lē How to pronounce unnecessarily (audio)
: not by necessity : to an unnecessary degree
unnecessarily harsh criticism

Examples of unnecessarily in a Sentence

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.
In that case, providing boxes and other quiet hiding spots can be crucial to giving them a safe space when their threat alarms, calibrated to a sensitive setting from early life, go off unnecessarily. Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 12 Nov. 2025 This led to women unnecessarily experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes and brain fog, Hirsch says. Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025 One can easily point to Newsom’s terrible energy policies and unnecessarily high energy prices as prime examples of the Democrats’ disconnect with working people. Will Oneill, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025 Lawyers for Illinois and Chicago have argued that deploying the troops will unnecessarily escalate tensions in the city, citing a lack of training for local policing and the potential to undermine ordinary law enforcement. Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unnecessarily

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unnecessarily was in 1565

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Cite this Entry

“Unnecessarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnecessarily. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

unnecessarily

adverb
un·​nec·​es·​sar·​i·​ly ˌən-ˌnes-ə-ˈser-ə-lē How to pronounce unnecessarily (audio)
1
: not by necessity
spent money unnecessarily
2
: to an unnecessary degree
an unnecessarily harsh punishment

More from Merriam-Webster on unnecessarily

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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