as in unnecessary
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
money's tight, so we'll have to skip nonessential purchases
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extravagance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonessential
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
The departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will also see their funding lapse, with much of the nonessential work slowing or stopping altogether.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 2 Feb. 2026
Caitlyn Kim, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Adjective
Those practicing this movement avoid purchasing nonessential items and instead rely on reuse, borrowing, repairing, thrifting, and sharing within their communities.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
The departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will also see their funding lapse, with much of the nonessential work slowing or stopping altogether.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
Anything deemed nonessential would be put on hold, so Americans could experience delays with certain services and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will go without pay.
—Caitlyn Kim, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonessential
Adjective
-
Secretaries often try to summarize the high points of reports submitted to the board, but that is unnecessary since committee reports should be submitted in writing.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Granted, some ceded ground is required in order to rebuild the story engine, but Season 2 still overindulges in comparably flat characters whose arcs are stuffed with unnecessary backstories and thin melodrama.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There was eloquent solo playing in the orchestra, and extravagance from the solo singers.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
What is your greatest extravagance?—
Marc Jacobs,
Vanity Fair,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Little ones are well taken care of with extras like baby baths, toys, and toiletries all included, and a mini breakfast menu plus essentials like wipes, diaper bins, and bottle warmers all thought of to boot.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
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The carrier is known for its no-frills tickets that offer low fares with the option to pay for extras like seat selection.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Cullinan, which went on sale in 2018 and is now in its second generation, oozes superfluity, and that's totally fine.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The 6,500-square-foot three-story contemporary is minimalist in decor but teeming with superfluities, including an elevator, a first-floor gym, a screening room, an infrared sauna and a master-bedroom walk-in closet bigger (and tidier) than my SoHo apartment.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Airlines are racing to build out luxury offerings as higher-income travelers continue to spend.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Dating in Austin can feel like a luxury sport.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a more simplistic story, Derya and Aziz’s efforts to find a good private school for their daughter would come off as a hopeless bourgeois indulgence.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
-
However, Catholics often choose an indulgence to abstain from such as sweets or wine in observance.—
Matthew Kayser,
Ascend Agency,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonessential. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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