unnecessary

adjective

un·nec·es·sary | \ ˌən-ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē

How to pronounce unnecessary (audio)

\

Definition of unnecessary

: not necessary

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about unnecessary

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of unnecessary in a Sentence

In this city, owning a car is unnecessary. Let's not take any unnecessary risks.

Recent Examples on the Web The Michigan court system will still require masks for most people at a courthouse, despite new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state that says masks are unnecessary for the fully vaccinated. — Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan courts keeping mask mandate, say too difficult to identify who is vaccinated," 14 May 2021 Political aspirants with the attitude that voting is unnecessary aren’t restricted to California. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Caitlyn Jenner couldn’t be bothered to vote, like these GOP candidates before her," 12 May 2021 Should the outage of Colonial be resolved by the end of this week, as the company now indicates could be the case, easing the Jones Act could turn out to be unnecessary. — David Blackmon, Forbes, "Colonial Pipeline Cyber Attack Points To Larger Security Concerns," 11 May 2021 That proved to be unnecessary, as Preakness officials, the Maryland Racing Commission and Baffert agreed that Baffert’s horses will be allowed to race after submitting to additional testing and monitoring. — Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, "Mike Finger: As scandal unfolds, Bob Baffert sticks to a modern script," 11 May 2021 Doctors and health experts have said that daily showers are unnecessary, and even counterproductive. — Maria Cramer, New York Times, "See Fewer People. Take Fewer Showers.," 6 May 2021 But Modi has argued that larger lockdowns are unnecessary since the country has sufficient gear, such as personal protection kits and sanitizers, to control infections. — Biman Mukherji, Fortune, "India’s business leaders are calling for the COVID lockdowns that Modi has resisted," 5 May 2021 Many people who spoke with CBS News said the curfew is unnecessary because protests have been peaceful for the last week and a half. — Sophie Lewis, CBS News, "Watch Live: Andrew Brown Jr.'s family holds funeral," 3 May 2021 Voting rights groups said the provisions are unnecessary and could suppress turnout. — BostonGlobe.com, "Florida approves bill curbing mail voting, use of drop boxes," 30 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unnecessary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about unnecessary

Dictionary Entries near unnecessary

unnecessariness

Statistics for unnecessary

Last Updated

16 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnecessary. Accessed 17 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for unnecessary

unnecessary

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of unnecessary

: not needed or necessary

See the full definition for unnecessary in the English Language Learners Dictionary

unnecessary

adjective

un·nec·es·sary | \ ˌən-ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē

\

Kids Definition of unnecessary

: not needed

Comments on unnecessary

What made you want to look up unnecessary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

divers

Listen to the pronunciation of divers

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words Used by Nabokov Quiz

Choose the best definition or synonym for the word in bold: "There are some eructations that sound like cheers—at least, mine did." Lolita

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ