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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in extravagance
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Caitlyn Kim, NPR, 30 Sep. 2025
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
The reading was the lowest since April and comes with nonessential government operations slated to close at midnight.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Adjective
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
Noun
And when figurative financial belts are tightened, nonessential goods like snacks oftentimes land on the chopping block (which, in turn, could lead to literal belt-tightening).
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
The reading was the lowest since April and comes with nonessential government operations slated to close at midnight.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonessential
Adjective
-
Cut off the unnecessary branches — and clean up the tree.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Once inside cells, the nanoparticles break down, releasing lithium in effective doses without exposing the rest of the body to unnecessary risk.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Like the operas Li recalled, this moment is characterized by a kind of emotional extravagance that does not permit the ambivalent second thought.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
-
History suggests such optimism can falter amid fiscal extravagance.—
Bob Haber,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for extras and insider scoops on Detroit-area dining.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Speeds feel snappy for streaming and cloud backups, and the price stays reasonable even with extras.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Not on his wife’s behalf but, rather, for the fact that he’d been given this luxury, had spent his life tending to his mind in the space that his wife had cleared for him.—
Ayşegül Savaş,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Even the more utilitarian and mundane areas of the home include unexpected conveniences and luxuries.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This luxe set includes travel-friendly favorites like the iconic hand cream and nourishing lip balm—perfect for anyone who loves a touch of indulgence in their routine.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But as a chef, his personal favorite indulgence is a late night snack right out of the fridge.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonessential. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share