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nonessential 1 of 2

adjective

ˌnän-i-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce nonessential (audio)
Definition of nonessentialnext
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

nonessential

2 of 2

noun

as in extravagance

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nonessential
Adjective
That could hurt businesses focusing on nonessential items and services for many people, such as travel and entertainment. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 The agency currently has no active Level 4 travel health notices, but does warn against nonessential travel to parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to an outbreak of Ebola there. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 28 July 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
  1. unnecessary
  2. extravagance
  3. extra
  4. superfluity
  5. luxury
  6. indulgence
Adjective
  • Federal Reserve officials have in recent years avoided raising their benchmark lending rate, wary of doing unnecessary damage to the economy.
    — Matt Stiles, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Environmental critics called that assertion a lie, arguing the rollback will cause thousands of unnecessary deaths from pollution and trigger billions of dollars in additional health care costs.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of unnecessary
Noun
  • With fewer domestic discoveries, high import tariffs and fragmented markets that curtailed economies of scale in production, such extravagances were unavailable to Europeans, who became accustomed to smaller, more efficient cars.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Over the years, Marco Polo has adapted to the neighborhood’s changing demographics by downplaying its old-world Italian extravagance.
    — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of extravagance
Noun
  • For those with kids, Family Concierge is designated for families who want the non-Adults-Only extras.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • These span paying extras out of pocket due to the low budget and — eventually — dealing with calls from tabloid journalists when Outrage!
    — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of extra
Noun
  • The gap between the two suggests a superfluity that has long dogged the business.
    — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026
  • So there was either a superfluity of honest Dublin women back in the day or a manager who moved around.
    — Anne Enright, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
Definition of superfluity
Noun
  • Alongside the luxury of the town, built on a former Greek and Phoenician colony, is its artistic and literary history.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Following the closure of Faviken in 2019, Nilsson has pivoted to quiet luxury on the shores of Bjäre—and his inn, co-managed by chef Frida Nilsson and Noma alum Daniella Rebelo, is the hottest opening in Sweden this year.
    — Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of luxury
Noun
  • Adding this biotin supplement to cart will also put you just a dollar away from iHerb’s free shipping threshold, as all orders over $25 qualify for this indulgence.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Written and rendered by dudes who longed for unlimited success, these are songs about cheating and being cheated on and trying but failing to be content, or love as lived amid capitalist indulgence.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of indulgence

Browse Nearby Words

nonerotic
nonessential
nonessentials
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonessential. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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