as in unnecessary
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
don't pack any unessential items until we're sure we have room for everything we'll actually need
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unessential
If no agreement occurs by September 30, the government will shut down all unessential services, ranging from air traffic controllers to staffers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who monitor for disease outbreaks.
—
Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2023
Their reunion doesn’t last long, as Sarah can’t keep away from the Pogue life, and through another tangle of unessential details, the whole crew comes together to discover the Cross of Santo Domingo in the ceiling of an old church.
—Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 22 Feb. 2023
Relegated to Marvel’s 1992 annual issues, Citizen Kang initially felt a little unessential.
—Joe George, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023
Each expert was hesitant about the current pandemic climate in Texas and the potential for increased spread through unessential activities.
—Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for unessential
Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2023
Their reunion doesn’t last long, as Sarah can’t keep away from the Pogue life, and through another tangle of unessential details, the whole crew comes together to discover the Cross of Santo Domingo in the ceiling of an old church.
—Lauren Puckett-Pope, ELLE, 22 Feb. 2023
Relegated to Marvel’s 1992 annual issues, Citizen Kang initially felt a little unessential.
—Joe George, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023
Each expert was hesitant about the current pandemic climate in Texas and the potential for increased spread through unessential activities.
—Callie Caplan, Dallas News, 12 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for unessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unessential
unnecessary
Adjective
-
And unlike species that evolved to shed unnecessary traits, the Greenland shark has kept its ability to see intact, even if it is modified for its shadowy world.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
By adjusting power consumption dynamically, the tool could help reduce unnecessary background activity and extend battery life—especially during idle periods or when apps are not in active use.—
Tahar Rajab,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unessential. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share