as in extra
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
that large suitcase is unnecessary—we are only going to be away for a couple of days
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unnecessary
Although each patient’s case is different, some doctors now argue that using beta-blockers for a year or two if needed rather than a lifetime could help people avoid unnecessary side effects and save money.
—
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The color represents any and all attempts to impose unnecessary order on the world by both real and self-appointed authority figures.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Ocean safety officials are urging the public to stay alert and avoid taking unnecessary risks along affected coastlines.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Plan ahead Plan fuel-efficient routes using apps like Google Maps to avoid backtracking and unnecessary stops.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
The color represents any and all attempts to impose unnecessary order on the world by both real and self-appointed authority figures.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026
Ocean safety officials are urging the public to stay alert and avoid taking unnecessary risks along affected coastlines.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Plan ahead Plan fuel-efficient routes using apps like Google Maps to avoid backtracking and unnecessary stops.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
-
Karen Friedman Agnifilo, one of Mangione's lead defense lawyers, asked for several months of extra time, saying Mangione's legal team needed to prepare for the federal case after his state trial.—
Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The company is considering a dual-class share structure in the listing that would potentially give insiders such as Musk extra voting power to dominate decision making.—
Bailey Lipschultz,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Geico Auto Insurance Learn More Policy highlights Geico offers 16 discounts and a variety of optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
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Before Saturday’s game, Rice worked on his scoops with Brett Weber, the Yankees’ senior director of advance scouting and a coaching assistant, during an optional batting practice period.—
Gary Phillips,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And needless to say, there is some credence to the rumor, given Wheatley and Newey’s long and successful working relationship at Red Bull, where Wheatley served as sporting director and made a significant contribution to the team’s success.—
Jerry Perez,
The Drive,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Anthropic, perhaps needless to say, disagrees.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
So, all of the other amazing things that'll happen on the way are irrelevant, if that doesn't go well.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
His running mate is irrelevant to matching funds.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Are we prepared to reduce nonessential spending and benefits?—
Carol Mendelson,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
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The decision of who is deemed essential and nonessential, for example, depends on department personnel, while salary appropriations can be impacted by lapses in the congressional budget, which occur multiple times a year.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His lawyer Tikaram Bhattarai told Reuters that the arrest was unwarranted.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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The law also prohibits public employees from using their official positions to obtain valuable, unwarranted privileges for themselves or others.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
McDonald responded directly to speculation that this fraud division would be redundant during his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2026
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Meyer said the petitions are not redundant.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Many people are trying to protect themselves from becoming dispensable as the role of AI expands in the workplace, said Erik Brynjolfsson, an economics professor at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
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In any case, in the first heat of their serious adventures with men, female friends seemed dispensable.—
Tessa Hadley,
New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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