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

The commission would have to hold three public hearings and could not make changes that intentionally favor a political party or unnecessarily divide communities. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

But children with lice are often shamed and unnecessarily excluded from attending school. — Emily J. C. Wong, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026

Sprinklers that operate during periods of heavy pedestrian traffic may unnecessarily increase the risk of someone encountering a wet or slippery walkway. — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026

Officials reminded the public to inform someone of your departure and expected time of return when setting out for a trip, and to stay in place if lost so as not to expand the search area unnecessarily. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 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