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

Why do lawmakers unnecessarily harm people? —Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026

Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom are necessary for removing moisture and odors, but leaving them on after use or running them unnecessarily can suck cold air through any gap or crack in your home. —Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026

Do not insert yourself unnecessarily into the drama. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026

This will shorten the lifespan of your sprinkler system components and unnecessarily increase the need for maintenance over time without any real benefit to the lawn. —Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 Feb. 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