UNNECESSARY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

unnecessary

adjective

ˌən-ˈne-sə-ˌser-ē

Definition of unnecessary

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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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 unnecessary Skubal, like Harper, suggested the mandatory participation proposal would be unnecessary. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Home networking companies like NETGEAR make equipment for different household setups, but diagnosing the weak spot first can save plenty of unnecessary tinkering. — Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 10 Sep. 2026 Supporters of the resolution argue the current model creates unnecessary disruptions for young children and their families, including transportation and scheduling issues. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026 Your ex is crossing boundaries in a way that’s strange and unnecessary. — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnecessary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnecessary

Adjective

Slovan Bratislava With an extra-time win against Celje of Slovenia last month to clinch qualification, Slovan had lost just one competitive game out of 18.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The extra attention may have helped push the song to the top, but the way two programs presented Swift's appearances left some fans feeling bamboozled.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of extra

Adjective

The optional app usually picks appealing but innocuous images of travel scenes and animals as daily wallpapers on Windows PC desktops.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Case codes to justify a search, previously optional, will be mandatory, and the audit log will be upgraded so that Flock can detect abnormal search patterns and block those users.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of optional

Adjective

Shooting a wild animal with a pellet gun and causing needless suffering is also within the scope of a felony animal cruelty charge.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Gvardiol looked jittery early on, rallied a little to break up some dangerous Porto attacks, but then started giving the ball away again and was booked for a needless pull after being caught dawdling in possession.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of needless

Adjective

While the rest of the building is expected to reopen Saturday, the Grand Foyer will remain closed to visitors and nonessential personnel through the weekend, the outlet reported.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Disable any software running on the computer that is nonessential and always close applications when you are finished using them.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonessential

Adjective

Last year, the panel also made several unwarranted changes to vaccine recommendations, including dropping the universal recommendation for a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine—a move widely decried by medical and health experts.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
At 79, Levy has been pleased to discover that often his discomfort is unwarranted.

— Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of unwarranted

Adjective

What would otherwise be redundant compute across every team and every session is reduced through reuse.

— Imran Aftab, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
My biggest challenge as an artist that’s been doing this for close to 20 years now is to try not to be overly redundant with your material, but then try not to stray away from what butters your biscuit.

— Melinda Newman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of redundant

Adjective

Or they could once again be tempted if the overlapping skill sets of some players — most likely Waddle, Franklin and Mims — make somebody dispensable.

— Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 July 2026
These educational crises—combined with evolutions in technology and culture—have rendered the experience of reading fiction, let alone poetry, a dispensable element of human life.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026

Definition of dispensable

Browse Nearby Words

unnaturally

unnecessary

unneeded

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“Unnecessary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnecessary. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unnecessary

adjective

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