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

In the arena of nations, as on the pitch, those who prepare thoroughly, compete directly, and refuse to yield ground unnecessarily position themselves to endure and prevail. — Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2026

Evil Dead Burn is packed with blood, viscera, ear trauma, and an unnecessarily graphic tableside murder of a dog. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Rennix told me that some students now view reading as an unnecessarily burdensome way of acquiring knowledge. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Over the last 15 years, employees have increasingly sued large employers over unnecessarily high fees or inferior investment options. — Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026

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