as in unnecessary
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
money's tight, so we'll have to skip nonessential purchases
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extravagance
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonessential
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
First, it was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, when all nonessential travel was halted between the two countries.
—Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 19 Dec. 2025
Caitlyn Kim, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Adjective
Using credit cards heavily in the weeks or months before filing, especially for nonessential purchases, can raise questions about intent.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
First, it was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, when all nonessential travel was halted between the two countries.
—Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 19 Dec. 2025
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
-
Santeiro, 63, of Miami Lakes, was found guilty in March 2022 of nine counts of healthcare fraud, including conspiring with others to bill $112 million to private insurers for detox services that were never provided or were medically unnecessary at two substance-abuse facilities in Broward County.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
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No roadways are closed but unnecessary travel is discouraged.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The extravagance of the hotel comes to the fore in the suites and penthouses.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
What is your greatest extravagance?—
Keith McNally,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If farmers weren’t sure how much was already in the soil, adding a little extra seemed safer than risking a shortfall.—
Dinesh Phuyal,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
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Biossance’s 100% Sugarcane Squalane Oil is literally just squalane—no fillers, fragrance, or extras—which is part of why dermatologists love it.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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After which, see its superfluity yet again relative to market entities that have long and capably filled central bank functions of providing near-term liquidity to the solvent, along with regulation to ensure sound operation based on those loans.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Or for a longer trip, Heather Wassel, a travel designer who specializes in luxury Europe trips, recommends a trip that takes advantage of both Juneteenth and July 3.—
Natalie B. Compton The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Infinity builds on Pacaso’s recent expansion into the luxury marketplace.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Classic for a reason, this breakfast icon is the perfect weekend indulgence.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The state already sees the fallout from the Legislature’s past indulgence of the governor’s whims.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonessential. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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