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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonessential

2 of 2

noun

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
Adjective
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 Charlotte water restrictions are successfully curbing nonessential water use amid an ongoing drought. — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 8 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
  • His public persona runs directly counter to ESPN’s stated preference for avoiding unnecessary conflict.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The healthcare industry’s voluntary agreements appeal to voters who feel government regulation drives up costs and places unnecessary burdens on businesses, some supporters say.
    — Stephanie Armour, Miami Herald, 4 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
  • The $130 billion Indian wedding market is one of luxury’s biggest opportunities.
    — Sujata Assomull, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For private luxury on a grand scale, the Salamanca Suite and even larger Anglada House Suite (pictured) have spacious terraces with superb city views; here, the hotel can arrange for a private chef to prepare lunches or dinners.
    — Eddi Fiegel, Robb Report, 3 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 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All