as in extra
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
that large suitcase is unnecessary—we are only going to be away for a couple of days
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Recent Examples of unnecessary
Coupled with a crucial unnecessary roughness call on a third-quarter drive in the red zone that eventually led to a fumble, Pickens was questioned about an apparent lack of effort during the season opener.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The shorter the ingredient list, the less room there is for unnecessary additives like stabilizers, sweeteners, or fillers that diminish the natural nutrition of the peanuts themselves.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Direct-to-consumer drug advertising has been found to pose some public health risks, including patients overdiagnosing themselves and seeking unnecessary treatments that could end up becoming more costly for them.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
These kinds of posts help stoke unnecessary fear in users seeking legitimate information about a possible disaster.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The shorter the ingredient list, the less room there is for unnecessary additives like stabilizers, sweeteners, or fillers that diminish the natural nutrition of the peanuts themselves.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Direct-to-consumer drug advertising has been found to pose some public health risks, including patients overdiagnosing themselves and seeking unnecessary treatments that could end up becoming more costly for them.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
These kinds of posts help stoke unnecessary fear in users seeking legitimate information about a possible disaster.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnecessary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary
Adjective
-
Try one of Nour Hammour’s shearling options—the Carolyn is a classic silhouette for the brand—or opt a reversible option from Diane Von Furstenberg or Lafayette 148 for extra warmth and versatility.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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Similar to an in-office treatment, step one is a trio of extra-strength exfoliating acids (lactic, glycolic, and mandelic), and step two is a clay mask to simultaneously neutralize the acids and deep clean the skin.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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An optional front rack on both models adds instant utility without marring the retro-fantastic looks.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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And battery life is better, the Mini 5 Pro gets 36 minutes per charge with its standard battery and 52 minutes of flight time with an optional extended life cell, up from 45 minutes for the Mini 4 Pro.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In my case, work-procrastination often takes the form of needless research.—
Gretchen Rubin,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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The past eight months have been wasted by the US president in terms of planning for Ukraine’s survival and European security, with needless cozying up to Moscow and undermining of a strategic transatlantic alliance that Washington will still need in the decades to come.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Getty Images The album might seem irrelevant to a majority of music listeners, who now go for individual tracks and make playlists on their favorite streaming service.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The question of whether or not Uniqlo is fast fashion or sustainable fashion or ethical fashion has perhaps become irrelevant in a world in which fashion—no modifier needed—is increasingly culpable for the ravaging of the planet.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The other 11 are nonessential because the body is able to produce them itself or synthesize them from the essential amino acids, according to the US National Library of Medicine.—
Carolyn L. Todd,
SELF,
28 Aug. 2025
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All nonessential government employees are off work, and most federal government offices are closed.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This was after the Zandvoort race stewards appointed by the FIA determined Williams’ Right of Review petition was admissible and then agreed Sainz’s penalty for colliding with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson was unwarranted based on new evidence.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Cincinnati's police union has said the charges against Tchervinski are unwarranted and were prompted by orders from the city.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For comparison’s sake, though, the now somewhat redundant Super Mario 3D All-Stars also contained the first Super Mario Galaxy and bizarrely went out of print back in 2021.—
Mitch Wallace,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Dodgers are up to five left-handers in their bullpen right now, which Roberts conceded is a tad redundant.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And the hierarchy must consider who else is dispensable and at what price.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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To become a machine, after all, is to become usable and, perhaps, dispensable.—
James Poniewozik,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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