unnecessary

adjective

un·​nec·​es·​sary ˌən-ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē How to pronounce unnecessary (audio)
: not necessary

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 Five interns nearly on the chopping block after the unnecessary death of a patient. David Oliver, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 Celina Stewart, chief counsel at the League of Women Voters, was in New Hampshire for the primary and said the calls created unnecessary chaos. Holly Ramer, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Turn off outdoor lights: Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night or use yellow or amber bulbs that are less attractive to insects. The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 The idea is to potentially reduce waste, save money, and prevent the unnecessary death of animals. Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 11 Mar. 2024 The story follows complete strangers Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgrim who connect during a risky, psychologically intense pharmaceutical trial for a drug intended to eradicate all unnecessary human pain and suffering. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 There are a variety of parallels, ranging from complaints that British elites were conspiring with the American liberal establishment to drag Washington’s unnecessary war to claims that [British Prime Minister Winston] Churchill and co. were doomed to defeat against the Third Reich. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 In past years, Black community leaders and the local NAACP branch have criticized the city’s approach toward spring breakers as racist and accused police of using unnecessary force. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 To then be able to walk from his dorm to the diner behind the Westwood Drug Store, enter the back door that saved the freshman with a stutter from unnecessary banter with customers, and often find Jerry West made Hollis Johnson’s a safe zone for Walton as well. Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unnecessary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unnecessary was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unnecessary

Cite this Entry

“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnecessary. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unnecessary

adjective
un·​nec·​es·​sary ˌən-ˈnes-ə-ˌser-ē How to pronounce unnecessary (audio)
ˈən-
: not necessary

More from Merriam-Webster on unnecessary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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